New Zealand writes seafarer welfare funding into law
Wellington government updates Maritime Transport Act to provide funding for mariners’ welfare services.
In an historic move, the government of New Zealand has enshrined mariners’ welfare funding in law by amending the country’s Maritime Transport Act 1994.
Lobbying undertaken by the New Zealand Seafarers’ Welfare Board, with support from Human Rights at Sea, was instrumental effecting the change.
“Today is a truly historic day for seafarers globally with a proven legislative route to long-term welfare service sustainability and financial security being applied through the maritime levy system,” said HRAS CEO David Hammond.
“The hard work undertaken by the New Zealand Seafarer’s Welfare Board has set a precedent that can now be mirrored by coastal states around the world…”
