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12 July, 2010
The ICEM has supported an initiative sponsored by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), conducting a global e-petition against maritime piracy. The initiative is co-sponsored by virtually all employer organisations in the shipping industry, forming an unprecedented coalition.
Although campaigning against piracy at sea has for many years been a concern to the ITF Seafarers’ Section, the recent growth of pirate attacks in the Somalia region has brought the issue to the attention of the public around the world. The ITF and co-organisers are aiming to collect over half a million signatures in time for World Maritime Day, 23 September 2010.
With half a million signatures, the global petition will be used to push governments toward committing the necessary resources to end Somalia-based piracy.
Currently at least 379 seafarers from 25 countries are being held hostage, some since December 2009. In the last two years over 1800 seafarers have been kidnapped.
See more information and sign the petition on the dedicated website here.