China, expectedly, lands a heavy blow on Indian sea labor – covid wars

Posted in Maritime Security by Mikhail Voytenko

Jul 25, 2021 at 08:52

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NEW DELHI: A seafarer workers’ union has claimed that Indian sailors are losing jobs on China-bound commercial vessels as Beijing has imposed an unofficial ban and is not allowing ships with Indian crew members to berth at Chinese ports.

The All India Seafarer & General Workers’ Union said it has written a letter to Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the directorate general of shipping and the ministry of external affairs on the unofficial “ban” on Indian seafarers from entering Chinese waters as a result of which “21,000 Indian sailors are facing job losses, directly or indirectly”.
because of China’s move, shipping companies especially based in the US, UK and western Europe whose vessels are China-bound have stopped employing the Indian crew.

In fact, such companies are now taking more Filipinos, Vietnamese and Chinese nationals.” He said India should reciprocate China’s move by banning its sailors.

 Article in full: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/china-ban-on-entry-of-indian-sailors-says-seafarers-body/articleshow/84720445.cms

Anyone expected anything different?
China is in an ideal position to fight off its’ rivals in any given area or aspect, be it industrial goods production or sea labor market. It doesn’t require any explanation – what this war (and India’s probable reciprocal move) means for sea labor market, for ship owners and managers.

It’s something short of disaster. All vaxx certificates and tests might turn into useless pieces of paper and/or databases records, at any given moment, in any given country, depending on its’ political goals/ambitions. 

 The only way to get rid of insanity and avoid bankruptcy is to push through a worldwide special sea labor program/guideline/convention, making each and every seaman subject to his national vaxx program. At least it’s more safe for crews, and it will be no less effective in securing green pass lanes for seamen worldwide, than ongoing mass vaccinations by any available jab anywhere it comes by.

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