IG Metall Coastal Region demands that Germany’s federal government ratify the Hong Kong Convention

IG Metall’s regional secretary for the German coast, Meinhard Geiken, handed over demands on a large placard to Parliamentary State Secretary Uwe Beckmeyer in Hamburg, flanked by shipyard workers.

Geiken said:

It is shameful that Germany still has not ratified the Hong Kong Convention for the safe and environmentally sound dismantling of ships. Shipbreaking represents not only an enormous threat to the health and safety of the workers concerned but also for the surrounding marine environment. Toxins like oil, asbestos and PCBs need appropriate control measures or protective equipment, not only for the health of employees but also the surrounding environment and ecosystems.

The Maritime Coordinator of the Federal Government, Uwe Beckmeyer, said: "I think that the contents of the Hong Kong Convention are of high importance. I am committed that the EU regulation on ship recycling is implemented promptly and in Germany."