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The IG Metall Coastal Region <a href="http://www.industriall-union.org/ig-metall-coastal-region-demands-that-germanys-federal-government-ratify-the-hong-kong-convention">called for action</a> from the German government in September 2015. The demand was made by regional secretary Meinhard Geiken in a high profile handover of demands on a large placard, flanked by shipyard workers in Hamburg.The Parliamentary State Secretary Uwe Beckmeyer responded in a letter:<blockquote>Ratification of the Hong Kong AgreementDear Mr. Geiken,The establishment of a reliable set of rules and regulations for sound environmentally friendly shipbreaking establishments is our common goal.I agree with your assessment of the situation that the Hong Kong Convention must quickly be ratified and materialized.  The EU regulation on Shipbreaking of Sea vessels is a primary and important step. Indeed, we need to improve global environment and security standards on working conditions in shipbreaking yards, especially in Asia.I have transmitted your remark to the person responsible at the Federal Ministry of Transport and digital infrastructure of Germany. Since an agreement on the ratification of the Section 59GG is still to be made, it is still difficult to foresee the exact moment of its implementation. I am committed to ensuring the quick and good progress of these proceedings.</blockquote>

Campaign to clean up Shipbreaking

Germany

Responding to the demand of IG Metall, Germany’s Maritime Coordinator of the Federal Government commits to achieving the swift ratification of the Hong Kong Convention.

German government commits to ratifying the Hong Kong Convention

A gas cylinder exploded killing four and injuring a further four members of IndustriALL Global Union’s major Bangladeshi affiliate the Bangladesh Metalworkers’ Federation (BMF). The injured workers suffered severe and life threatening burns. The accident occurred while the eight ship breakers were getting ready for work.The names of the killed are Khokon, Moksedul, Alamin and Shajahan.The BMF and the Shipbreaking Platform assembled on 10 September to demand action and change from the industry employers, conducting a human chain and protesting the shocking working conditions in the industry in Bangladesh.On 14 September the BMF again formed a human chain demanding proper safety provisions at the Shital yard. BMF is also working to ensure proper compensation is paid to the families of the killed and injured workers.At the time of the accident the Shital ship breaking yard had two ships docked for dismantling, one from Russia and one from Greece.The Bangladeshi Shipbreaking Platform reports that in 2015 alone 12 shipbreaking workers have died on the job, and 17 more have been severely injured in the country’s ship yards.IndustriALL Global Union is <a href="http://www.industriall-union.org/campaign-to-clean-up-ship-breaking">campaigning to clean up the industry</a>. Ship building and ship breaking sector director Kan Matsuzaki states:<blockquote>The IndustriALL affiliates in this sector are taking action as part of our campaign for ratification of the Hong Kong Convention. Over the last three weeks major trade unions in Japan, Germany, Australia and Denmark have reasserted their demand for their governments to ratify this international convention that will secure health &amp; safety and save the workers’ lives.</blockquote>

Health and safety

Bangladesh

Shipbreaking

A 5 September deadly accident at the Shital yard in Chittagong underlined the importance of the global campaign for ratification of the Hong Kong Convention, aimed at making perilous ship breaking jobs safer.

Four union members killed ship breaking in Bangladesh

IG Metall’s regional secretary for the German coast, Meinhard Geiken, handed over demands on a large placard to Parliamentary State Secretary Uwe Beckmeyer in Hamburg, flanked by shipyard workers.Geiken said:<blockquote>It is shameful that Germany still has not ratified the Hong Kong Convention for the safe and environmentally sound dismantling of ships. Shipbreaking represents not only an enormous threat to the health and safety of the workers concerned but also for the surrounding marine environment. Toxins like oil, asbestos and PCBs need appropriate control measures or protective equipment, not only for the health of employees but also the surrounding environment and ecosystems.</blockquote>The Maritime Coordinator of the Federal Government, Uwe Beckmeyer, said: "I think that the contents of the Hong Kong Convention are of high importance. I am committed that the EU regulation on ship recycling is implemented promptly and in Germany."

The IG Metall Coastal region lodged its firm support for German ratification of the Hong Kong Convention.

IG Metall Coastal Region demands that Germany’s federal government ratify the Hong Kong Convention

Satoshi Kudoh, President JBU and also Co-chairperson of IndustriALL Shipbuilding-Shipbreaking sector directly demanded to Akihiro Ohta, Minister of MILT to expedite the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention by the Japanese Government.  The minister responded positively on the issue of ratification.

Japan

On 9 September, the Japan Federation of Basic Industry Workers' Unions, JBU, met with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, MILT.

Japanese union leaders reiterate government demand to ratify Hong Kong Convention

On 9 June, a joint delegation of IndustriALL affiliate Japan Council of Metalworkers’ Union and Japan Federation of Basic Industry Workers' Unions met with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The aim of the meeting was to demand that the Japanese government ratify the Hong Kong Convention and contribute to the development of an effective solution to the issue of shipbreaking.The ministry responded that they will make an effort to expedite the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention by setting up national legislation to meet the requirements.It was also mentioned that the ministry is in consultation with India, the world’s biggest shipbreaking country, to accelerate bilateral cooperation to improve conditions in the shipbreaking industry. JCM also met with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MOFA, on 30 June and demanded that Japan actively tackles the shipbreaking issues through diplomacy. MOFA responded that they will promote and support countries' ratification of the convention, such as India.

India

After a meeting in June between unions and the responsible government ministry, Japan has committed to expediting the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention.

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German government commits to ratifying the Hong Kong Convention

Four union members killed ship breaking in Bangladesh

IG Metall Coastal Region demands that Germany’s federal government ratify the Hong Kong Convention

Japanese union leaders reiterate government demand to ratify Hong Kong Convention

Japan: expedited ratification of Hong Kong Convention

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