Nautilus solidarity on LGBT+ seafarer rights

Nautilus is supporting global unions who have highlighted rising attacks on the rights and achievements of the LGBT+ community support of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)

In a joint statement from European Trade Union Federations and ETUC for IDAHOBIT on 17 May 2024, members and European policymakers were reminded that LGBT+ rights are fundamental human and trade union rights.

'We praise the progress made during recent decades to advance the rights of LGBT+ workers at the workplace through collective bargaining and beyond, such as the right to family lives through equal rights for same-sex couples. However, these achievements are now put in question or even pushed back by right-wing and populist movements across Europe. This applies to both countries where LGBT+ human rights legislation is more advanced, as well as countries that are in the early stages of the struggle.

'We condemn attempts to make LGBT+ workers scapegoats for the economic and social failures of governments. There cannot be inclusive communities or inclusive workplaces without support and inclusion for LGBT+ people. With particular attention, we underline the need for the protection of the rights of our transgender workers who have increasingly been targets of attacks by politicians and co-workers.'

Politicians were urged to protect and promote LGBT+ rights in their electoral campaigns and future work to ensure 'freedom, safety and equality for every LGBT+ person in the EU and beyond, including defending LGBT+ rights in the EU external policies.'

Workplace related violence, harassment and targeting of LGBT+ people, including online attacks was also a deep concern. Some European trade unions are conducting negotiations with European employers' organisations to protect workers from third- party violence and harassment (TPVH) by updating the relevant guidelines.

Protection from violence at work is a fundamental workers' right and enshrined in the International Labour Organization's Convention 190, and European Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

Nautilus members committed the Union, at its General Meeting in 2023, to continue to prioritise diversity rights in the maritime industry and to ensure that on human rights underpin its work. The resolution on ESG and HRDD mandated the Union to use and highlight concepts from ESG and HRDD when working to achieve continuous improvement of seafarers' rights, terms and conditions, working with international partners such as the Nautilus Federation, International Transport Workers' Federation and the European Transport Workers' Federation.

Members interested in joining the conversations on these topics are welcome to join the Union's Equality and Diversity Forum meetings.