SEAFARERS evacuated from Ukraine will be provided with safe accommodation in Romania and Poland under an initiative arranged by two workers’ unions and a ship management company.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation is collaborating with the Marine Transport Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine and global ship manager V.Group to facilitate the evacuation of Ukrainian seafarers and their families.
Together, ITF, MTWTU and V.Group are ensuring seafarers working under any employer or union can stay in secure accommodation free of charge for a week.
The intention is to give the seafarers and their families time to assess their situation and for the group to provide onsite support for the next steps.
David Heindel, chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust and ITF Seafarers’ section, said the union’s thoughts are with those impacted by the conflict.
“I hope that as our humanitarian efforts continue, we can persuade other companies to join in and contribute to funding,” he said.
MTWTU chairman Oleg Grygoriuk said the aim of the initiative is to get people to safety as quicly as possible.
“Applications are already being processed and our partner V.Group’s teams are in place at the destinations to support seafarers’ families as they plan their onward journeys,” he said.
“What we need now are contributions from the maritime industry to boost our funds and allow us to continue this initiative.”
The ITF has provided US$200,000 in funding to mobilise the project and is working with the union’s charitable arm, the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, to co-ordinate the efforts of affiliated unions.
V.Group chief operating officer Allan Falkenberg said the group has been working closely with the ITF to get the project off the ground and is using its global scale and resources to help as many families as possible.
“Russian and Ukrainian crew make up 15% of the global fleet supply and we remain concerned about the safety and wellbeing of all our colleagues and their families impacted by the crisis in the Ukraine,” he said.
“This is a fast-changing situation, and this initiative is one way we can play a role in helping families at the first stage of what will be an emotional and difficult journey.
Mr Falkenberg said collaboration with industry partners will help amplify the impact of the project and ensure it continues to operate for as long as is needed.
“We’re now calling for more companies in the maritime industry to offer their support.”
The ITF has enabled a restricted fund to accept donations and is calling on maritime industry to sustain the initiative with its support.
The MTWTU is signing people up for evacuation and organising assembly points, and V.Group is arranging accommodation ad onsite support in Romania and Poland.
Support will include help with communication and administration; medical and welfare assistance; and help with planning onward journeys and securing longer term accommodation.
