Minister of Labour Colin Jordan has thrown his full support behind the Seafarers’ Bill, describing it as a critical legislative step to protect Barbadian workers on the high seas and enforce the rule of law in international waters.
Speaking in the House of Assembly Friday on the Maritime Areas (Jurisdiction and Rights) Bill,
Jordan emphasised that small states like Barbados rely heavily on the rule of law for survival. He argued that this legislation reinforces the principle that rights must be protected even in the maritime space, especially given current global instability in shipping lanes.
“This bill is Barbados’ contribution . . . to say to the world that even on the high seas there must be rule of law,” Jordan said.
“A small state can only properly survive in a situation where there is rule of law.”
Focusing on the Seafarers’ Bill, the minister highlighted that it gives the force of law to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 for Barbadosflagged vessels. He noted that this ensures the country cannot associate its flag with ships that fail to comply with international standards for decent work.
“Decent work is not just a catchphrase,” Jordan said, pointing to specific provisions in the over-300page
bill that address occupational safety and health, mandatory medical examinations and the prohibition of child labour and discrimination.
A key feature of the legislation, according to him, was the integration of social protection. He praised the requirement for seafarers to be registered with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to obtain identity documents. This, he said, closes a gap that historically left many seafarers without a financial safety net in their old age.
The minister also spoke of the importance of the bill’s repatriation clauses. Reflecting on Barbados’ humanitarian assistance to stranded cruise ship workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan noted that the new law mandates that workers cannot be abandoned in foreign ports, with heavy penalties for non-compliance.
“We value their labour, we value their contribution, and we are prepared to use the law to ensure that our workers are not mistreated,” Jordan said. (MB)
