Joint ILO-IMO Tripartite Working Group (JTWG) adopted the guidelines for fair treatment of detained seafarers.
These guidelines, developed during the JTWG’s third meeting in November 2024, aim to address the growing number of seafarers detained in such cases and improve coordination between flag states, port states, seafarers’ home states and shipowners to ensure fair treatment. The guidelines emphasise the need for clear principles that can be adapted to various national systems, aiming to prevent the criminalisation of seafarers before thorough investigations. They offer essential guidance for port States, flag States, coastal States, the seafarer’s nation, shipowners, and the seafarers themselves.
Seafarers are recognized as a special category of worker and many countries have designated them as key workers in accordance with the adoption of a joint statement by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Given the global nature of the shipping industry and the different jurisdictions with which seafarers may be brought into contact, they need special protection, especially in relation to contacts with public authorities. The objective of these Guidelines is to ensure that seafarers detained on suspicion of committing a crime are treated fairly during any investigation and detention by public authorities, and that detention is for no longer than necessary.