Bangladesh’s shipbreaking unions key in helping workers7 March, 2024Shipbreaking is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Workers employed at shipbreaking yards are forced to work in precarious working conditions for poverty wages. Cutting a vessel in the absence of safety equipment or lack of proper training for the job, poses an immense danger to workers’ lives.
Shipbreaking industry set for transformation with Hong Kong Convention28 June, 2023The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention) will enter into force in June 2025, after Bangladesh and Liberia became contracting states to the Convention on 26 June 2023.
Worker dies at Bangladesh shipbreaking yard10 June, 2022One worker died and one was seriously injured while dismantling the tanks of ship at the Sagarika shipbreaking Yard in Chattogram, Bangladesh on 8 June.
Shipbreaker physically assaulted 17 March, 2022A worker at Kabir Steel shipbreaking yard in Bangladesh has been physically assaulted after protesting against being unfairly fired.
Worker killed at Kabir Steel shipbreaking yard11 February, 2022On 31 January, a worker was killed in an accident at Kabir Steel shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda municipality, Chittagong, Bangladesh, while working at night – despite a court order prohibiting the practice.
SPECIAL REPORT: What will it take for the Hong Kong Convention to come into force? 18 January, 2022Shipbreaking has been called the most dangerous job in the world. In countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, workers face dangerous and precarious working conditions, with very little training, safety equipment and access to medical services. For this, they receive poverty wages.
United for a sustainable maritime industry1 November, 2021IndustriALL Global Union’s shipbuilding and shipbreaking action group adopted sector activities for the next twelve months and agreed to be united to promote sustainable maritime industry for a just future.
Bangladesh’s dangerous shipbreaking yards claim two more lives23 September, 2021In just a week, two more workers have been killed and three have been injured due to the deplorable lack of safety in Chittagong’s shipbreaking yards. IndustriALL affiliates BMF and BMCGTWF have repeatedly brought up the issue of health and safety with both Bangladesh’s government and the ship owners, but to no avail.
Hong Kong Convention key to South Asian shipbreaking recovery29 September, 2020South Asia shipbreaking unions, IndustriALL and FNV Mondiaal representatives held virtual meetings on 24 and 25 September to evaluate union support for workers during Covid-19, and pledged to intensify the campaign to ratify the Hong Kong Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships (HKC).
34 Bangladeshi shipbreaking workers reinstated16 July, 2020IndustriALL affiliate BMCGTWF’s proactive intervention has ensured the reinstatement of 34 workers at the M/S Motalab Steel shipbreaking yard in Bangladesh.