Transport Minister Highlights Urgent Need to Tackle Harassment at Sea
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen. | Photo credit: The President’s Office
Marking the Day of the Seafarer 2025, the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, has underlined the urgent need to enhance protections for seafarers against harassment.
In a statement released to commemorate the international occasion, the Minister drew attention to this year’s theme, ‘My Harassment-Free Ship’, set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), describing it as timely and necessary. He spoke of the often-overlooked sacrifices made by those working at sea, particularly during periods of global disruption such as the Covid-19 pandemic, when seafarers continued to transport goods across borders with little regard for their well-being.
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Ameen reflected on the demanding nature of life at sea, noting that the profession calls for resilience, patience, and technical skill. He stressed that the isolated environment in which many seafarers operate makes them especially vulnerable and in need of robust support networks. Harassment and abuse, he warned, not only undermine individual dignity but threaten the very foundations of maritime professionalism.
Creating a safe working environment free from harassment is not just an ethical duty, the Minister said, it is essential to the productivity and morale of seafarers. When crews feel valued and secure, he added, they are better able to meet the physical and mental challenges posed by months at sea.
While the IMO’s message is focused on the maritime industry, Ameen argued that the call for action should extend across all sectors. He advocated for the introduction of stronger workplace policies, improved training, reliable reporting channels, and swift, fair procedures for addressing complaints.
He also called on shipping companies to take greater responsibility for the welfare of their staff, urging them to honour employment agreements, facilitate safe and timely disembarkation, and ensure access to proper healthcare for all seafarers.
