New ICS guidance aims to address bullying and harassment

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released a set of industry principles aimed at combating and eliminating harassment and bullying in the maritime sector. The principles are intended to guide shipowners and operators in creating their own policies for dealing with these issues. The high-level principles include being data driven, fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity, and treating complaints of harassment with seriousness and respect. The detailed principles focus on defining bullying and harassment with examples and ensuring sustained improvements in anti-harassment and bullying policies.

The release of these principles follows a 2022 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Lloyd’s Register Foundation (LRF), and Gallup, which found that 23% of those in employment had experienced violence and harassment at work. The ICS has submitted the principles to the ILO and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ahead of a joint meeting with governments, shipowners, and unions. The ICS emphasizes the need for effective collaboration across these groups to address the issue of harassment and bullying in the maritime sector.

The ICS director of employment affairs, Helio Vicente, stated that the maritime sector must take the issue of harassment and bullying seriously, and the ICS will consider a separate paper at the joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group, which emphasizes the need for effective collaboration across governments, shipowners, and unions to address the issue. The principles can be downloaded from the ICS website for companies to use as a guide in creating their own policies.

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