Factors influencing seafarers’ human rights preservation onboard
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2025.276889Keywords:
Seafarer; Human rights; Best worst method; Multi criteria decision making; Employment rights; BangladeshAbstract
Seafarers often face significant threats to their rights and safety due to harsh working conditions, long periods of isolation, and inadequate legal protections. Asian seafarers, especially those from Bangladesh, are also affected. This study identifies the criteria or factors influencing the preservation of human rights for seafarers and evaluates the current situation of Bangladeshi seafarers onboard through an analysis of key categories including physical and working conditions, employment and social welfare, health and safety, crew well-being and social support, and regulatory compliance and enforcement. The Best Worst Method (BWM), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, is used to rank 19 sub-factors to assess the current state of human rights preservation for seafarers on board. Compared to other MCDM approaches, the BWM offers more consistent weighting rules, requires fewer pairwise comparisons, and provides more dependable findings, with fewer expert inputs. The research findings indicate that accommodation standards, monthly wages, personal protection equipment, food and catering, and maximum/minimum working hours are being effectively maintained onboard. The challenges faced in preserving human rights onboard include, safe working environment, compliance and enforcement (MLC, ILO, National Laws and Regulations), seafarers, their families and allies’ security, equal gender opportunities, and the prevention of accidents and injuries. The study’s findings can provide guidance to ship owners, ship management firms, policymakers, and other relevant entities in safeguarding and improving the preservation of human rights for this vital workforce.
Highlights
- This study identifies the factors influencing the prevention of human rights for seafarers and evaluates the current situation of Bangladeshi seafarers onboard through an analysis of key categories including physical and working conditions, employment and social welfare, health and safety, crew well-being and social support and regulatory compliance and enforcement.
- The Best Worst Method (BWM), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, is used to rank 19 sub-factors to assess the current state of human rights preservation for seafarers on board.
- Ensuring a safe working environment, gender equality, and family security for seafarers is crucial, especially in Asian countries where these rights are often compromised.
- Compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, and national laws and regulations is essential for protecting seafarers' human rights on board.
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