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3 July, 2025In a display of unity, workers, government, industry and global organizations came together to mark the historic entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) on 26 June 2025. To commemorate this milestone, a tripartite meeting and workers’ rally were held on 29 June in Alang, India—home to some of the world’s largest ship recycling yards led by the Alang Sosiya Ship Recycling and General Workers’ Association (ASSRGWA), reaffirming their shared commitment to fair and effective implementation of the Convention.
IndustriALL joined key stakeholders including the International Labour Organization (ILO), India’s director general of shipping, Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) and the Ship Recycling Industries Association (SRIA).
The brainstorming meeting chaired by ILO India director, Michiko Miyamoto, underlined the importance of social dialogue and the core ILO conventions. She stressed that the HKC offers an opportunity to improve safety and labour standards, ensuring decent work in ship recycling.
India’s director general of shipping, Shyam Jagannathan, welcomed the Convention, calling it a chance for India to strengthen its global leadership in sustainable ship recycling. He emphasized the need for an inclusive, worker-centred approach, urging greater participation of women in the industry.
Technical and operational perspectives were shared by Ajith Kumar Sukumaran, additional director general of shipping, who laid out the Convention’s compliance roadmap for India. GMB chief engineer Talawiya confirmed the board’s readiness to provide hands-on support at the plot level to meet HKC standards.
While welcoming the Convention, SRIA secretary, Haresh Parmar, cautioned against excessive regulation, advocating for balanced policies that safeguard both workers and business viability.
ILO India national coordinator, Pallavi Mansingh, also called for systemic changes that prioritise workers’ voices and needs throughout the process.
ASSRGWA general secretary, Vidyadhar Rane, demanded an inclusive approach, where workers are respected not merely as beneficiaries, but as equal partners in shaping the future of ship recycling.
IndustriALL assistant general secretary speaking Kan Matsuzaki reaffirmed that the transition to HKC compliance must be just and fair.
“Workers have to be placed at the centre of reforms, emphasizing their rights, livelihoods and representation.”
Walton Pantland, IndustriALL shipbuilding and shipbreaking director at stressed that HKC must lead to a safer and cleaner Alang with more skilled, decent jobs. He emphasized the importance of strong yard-level safety committees, collective bargaining agreements and protections for downstream workers.
The day concluded with a powerful workers’ Rally, drawing more than 350 workers—including many women—who stood in solidarity for safer, fairer ship recycling.
The day ended with a strong collective pledge to continue working together to make Alang a global model for socially responsible, safe, and environmentally sound ship recycling.