Study Reveals Bullying and Harassment Among Danish Maritime Workers

A study conducted by the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) has revealed that nearly one-sixth of maritime workers on Danish ships have experienced bullying in the workplace. The survey, which collected responses from almost 3,500 seafarers, found that factors such as gender, race, and cultural background played a role in the bullying experienced by respondents. The study reported that 17% of participants had experienced bullying, while 11% had been exposed to harassment at work. Younger and less experienced seafarers were more likely to be affected by these issues. Morten Bødskov, Denmark’s Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, described the findings as “completely unacceptable” and called for immediate action to address the problem.

The survey also revealed concerning data, including 8% of seafarers who reported experiencing the threat of physical violence and 2% who had suffered from actual violence. Junior employees were more likely to have experienced these issues, with senior officers being the most likely perpetrators. In response to the findings, the DMA will work with industry partners to propose solutions to address the problem by the end of 2023.

The DMA’s report comes at a time when the overall happiness of seafarers has been declining. According to the Mission to Seafarers charity, seafarers’ happiness ratings dropped from 7.1/10 in Q1 2023 to 6.77/10 in Q2, compared to 7.69/10 at the end of 2022. These findings highlight the urgent need for the maritime industry to prioritize the well-being and safety of its workers.

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