Harassment Crisis Aboard Canadian Ships

The Seafarers’ International Union of Canada (SIU) has disclosed concerning findings from a recent study, showing that close to half of the maritime workforce in Canada has encountered harassment or bullying while on the job.

Published by SIU Canada, this report gathers insights from a survey disseminated among its members in the summer of 2023. Targeting a broad swath of unlicensed seafarers nationwide, the survey aimed to shed light on workplace conditions within the marine industry, which is currently facing a significant labor shortage.

By sharing these statistics, SIU Canada aims to initiate a sector-wide dialogue on strategies to combat harassment at sea, thereby enhancing the sector's appeal to prospective employees.

Although the report notes some progress in improving workplace environments, it underscores the need for continued efforts to fully eliminate harassment on Canadian ships.

Michael Given, President of SIU Canada, emphasized the critical nature of the problem: “The issue of workplace harassment needs urgent attention from the entire industry. While seafaring is a rewarding career, we must ensure a safe and healthy environment to tackle recruitment and retention challenges.”

The findings indicate that 46% of seafarers and 69% of female seafarers have been subjected to harassment at some point in their careers. Furthermore, 9% of all seafarers and 35% of female seafarers have faced sexual harassment, with 67% of these incidents reportedly perpetrated by someone in a position of authority. Alarmingly, nearly half of the affected individuals chose not to report the incidents, and 60% felt that their employers did not offer sufficient protection against such behavior.

In light of these findings, SIU Canada has vowed to collaborate with maritime companies, shipowners, and regulatory authorities to tackle the issue head-on. The union is committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of Canadian seafarers, striving to eradicate harassment and bullying within the maritime profession.

The union's statement further stresses the collective responsibility of industry stakeholders: “All industry stakeholders must do better to ensure that workers in the Canadian marine sector can earn a living in a safe and harassment-free work environment.” This call to action highlights the urgent need for systemic change to protect seafarers from workplace harassment.