Campaign to clean up Shipbreaking, the world's most dangerous job

The workers in this industry suffer precarious working conditions, lack training, and face serious hazards.

The industry has a responsibility to provide, and workers have a right to expect, safe, healthy, clean and sustainable jobs.

IndustriALL Global Union demands that all member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO):

Ratify the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships NOW!

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Background info

IndustriALL Global Union World Conference on Shipbuilding-Shipbreaking in Nagasaki, Japan, 10-11 November 2014

IndustriALL World Conference resolution on the Hong Kong Convention

Industrial sector Action Plan

Report: Research Mission on the situation of Shipbreaking workers in South Asia

Report: Shipbreaking in South Asia – Long way to break the Chain - Page 8

WMU International Conference on Ship Recycling – conference materials

Report: Bangladesh shipbreaking workers

FNV Bondgenoten: Training on OHS

Union activities: SMEFI-India

Hong Kong Convention key to South Asian shipbreaking recovery

29 September 2020 at 12:17

South Asia shipbreaking unions, IndustriALL and FNV Mondiaal representatives held virtual meetings on 24 and 25 September to evaluate union support for workers during Covid-19, and pledged to intensify the campaign to ratify the Hong Kong Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships (HKC).

34 Bangladeshi shipbreaking workers reinstated

16 July 2020 at 14:48

IndustriALL affiliate BMCGTWF’s proactive intervention has ensured the reinstatement of 34 workers at the M/S Motalab Steel shipbreaking yard in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh' shipbreaking yards continue to claim lives

17 February 2020 at 12:00

Bangladesh is the top shipbreaking country in the world, but the industry’s dangerous working conditions have left two workers dead and more injured in the first weeks of February.

India ratifies Hong Kong Convention

29 November 2019 at 15:35

The world's largest shipbreaking country, India, has ratified the Hong Kong Convention. The ratification signifies a major step forward in IndustriALL’s campaign to clean up shipbreaking, the most dangerous job in the world.

Death toll rises as accidents continue at Bangladesh shipbreaking yards

17 October 2019 at 16:47

Two workers died and at least three were injured in an accident at the OWW shipbreaking yard at Kumira ferry port area of Shitakund, Chattogram, on 12 October 2019, bringing to 23 the number of deaths recorded this year.

Fatalities in Bangladesh shipbreaking industry unceasing

4 September 2019 at 15:57

The dire safety record of the Bangladesh shipbreaking industry continues as two workers were killed and thirteen injured, in yet another incident at the Ziri Subedar Shipbreaking Yard at Sitakunda on 31 August.

Moving towards sustainable shipbreaking in South Asia

4 September 2019 at 09:42

IndustriALL Global Union affiliates representing shipbreaking workers in South Asia met in Kathmandu, Nepal, at the end of August to improve safety and strengthen unions as yet more lives are lost in one of the world’s deadliest jobs.

Bangladesh unions organize medical camp for shipbreaking workers

2 August 2019 at 14:30

Over 150 shipbreaking members of IndustriALL affiliates benefited from a medical camp organized on 26 July at Shitakund, Chattogram.

Safety crisis in Bangladesh shipbreaking yards continues

29 May 2019 at 14:12

At least eight workers have been killed, and 35 injured this year in accidents in Bangladeshi shipbreaking yards. The number of fatalities since 2017 is around 47.

Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling boosted by Japanese ratification

2 April 2019 at 16:52

The campaign to clean up ship breaking – the most dangerous job in the world - has received a major boost as Japan becomes the first Asian country to ratify the Hong Kong Convention.

Expanded training centre opens for shipbreaking workers in India

25 March 2019 at 16:30

IndustriALL affiliate, the Alang Sosiya Ship Recycling General Workers’ Union (ASSRGWA) opened the second phase of its training centre and organized a training of trainers programme from 13 – 16 March 2019 with the support of IndustriALL and Dutch union, FNV.

United call for sustainable shipbreaking in Bangladesh

25 March 2019 at 12:05

Representatives from unions, employers and the government in Bangladesh called for sustainable shipbreaking and effective social dialogue, at a meeting organized by IndustriALL Global Union in Chattogram on 11 March 2019.

Turkey ratifies Hong Kong Convention for safe recycling of ships

4 February 2019 at 17:28

IndustriALL Global Union welcomes Turkey’s ratification of the Hong Kong Convention for the safe and environmentally sound ship recycling, but says more countries must urgently follow suit.

Fighting forward for a sustainable future in the shipbuilding and shipbreaking industry

27 November 2018 at 15:41

IndustriALL Global Union shipbuilding and shipbreaking unions adopted an action plan for 2019-2022 and agreed to promote safety and sustainable industrial policy and to develop trade union networks in multinational corporations.

Bangladesh and India must accelerate ratification of Hong Kong Convention

21 November 2018 at 11:19

An IndustriALL delegation has met with ministries in Bangladesh and India to accelerate the process of ratification of the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) for safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.

Safety remains elusive on second anniversary of Gadani shipbreaking accident

5 November 2018 at 17:49

One day after the second anniversary of one of the deadliest accidents in the history of the Pakistani shipbreaking industry, there was yet another fire in the Gadani shipyard.

Shipbreaking unions in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh meet to coordinate union building

5 September 2018 at 10:34

IndustriALL Global Union affiliates from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh met to coordinate their campaigns for the rights of shipbreaking workers on 31 August and 1 September in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Pakistan: Shipbreaking workers win union rights

2 May 2018 at 13:21

In a significant achievement, workers at so called re-rolling mills near Pakistan's Gadani ship-breaking yard have received union registration and are now formally recognised as a collecive bargaining agent.

Pakistan has failed to learn lessons of Gadani tradegy, say unions

24 April 2018 at 11:58

On 1 November, 2016, 29 workers were killed and several more injured while dismantling an oil tanker at Pakistan’s Gadani shipbreaking yard. Speakers at a seminar on the industry, organized by IndustriALL affiliate the National Trade Union Federation in Karachi on 21 April, said that the government does not appear to have learnt any lessons from the tragedy.

ILO to adopt improved code of practice for shipbuilding and ship repair

1 February 2018 at 11:45

Expert representatives of governments, employers and workers from around the world gathered at the ILO in Geneva, Switzerland, from 22 to 26 January, to improve and adopt a revised code of practice on safety and health in shipbuilding and ship repair.

Banks and shipowners join campaign for the safe recycling of ships

24 November 2017 at 11:34

IndustriALL took forward the campaign for the safe recycling of ships at a series of recent meetings in The Netherlands.

Shipbuilders and shipbreakers pledge solidarity in Rotterdam

2 November 2017 at 10:37

57 delegates from 18 countries met in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on 31 October and 1 November for the IndustriALL shipbuilding and shipbreaking action group.

Pakistan: Shipbreaking workers win wage increase

14 August 2017 at 16:28

Shipbreaking Workers Union Gadani (SBWUG) called off their strike on 4 August after negotiations with the employers association yielded significant results, including a wage increase.

IndustriALL intensifies campaign to ratify Hong Kong Convention

28 July 2017 at 15:23

IndustriALL Global Union and its affiliates ran two consecutive workshops in Bangladesh and India in July 2017 to discuss the importance of ratification Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.

Pakistan: Shipbreaking accident victims receive compensation

23 February 2017 at 14:47

After a series of protests by the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), victims of the massive accident at Gadani shipbreaking yard received compensation on 9th February 2017.

Watch these films on shipbreaking

Campaign to clean up Shipbreaking, the world's most dangerous job

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Background info