Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety (해양환경안전학회지)

The Korean Society of Marine Environment and safety (해양환경안전학회)
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A Study on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Rights and OSH of Seafarers and Tendency in 2022 Amendments of Maritime Labour Convention

팬데믹이 선원의 권리 및 안전보건에 미친 영향과 2022년 해사노동협약 개정 동향 연구

  • Hyun-Wook Doo (Division of Education, Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology)
  • Received : 2022.11.21
  • Accepted : 2022.12.28
  • Published : 2022.12.31
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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic can be deemed one of the greatest hardships faced by mankind in the 21st century. All industries have been severely affected and workers are still experiencing deep difficulties due to the changed working and living environment. Seafarers have been recognized by the international community as key workers since the pandemic began. They are also working internationally to establish a Level Playing Field through the protection of their rights through the Seafarers' Employment Agreement and the implementation of international labour standards. However, despite the obligations under international conventions to be implemented by State parties and the recommendations by international organizations, the rights of seafarers under the Maritime Labour Convention were violated were violated and their occupational safety and health of seafarers were further threatened throughout the pandemic. This article analyzes the impact of the international shipping industry and the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention based on each country's measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the amendments of the Maritime Labour Convention adopted through the fourth Special Tripartite Committee were analyzed based on the conference documents and reports to comprehend the implied meaning. The adopted eight amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention are expected to positively affect the seafarers' rights, safety and health in the future, but the international community's efforts should continue because the issues of maximum working hours, maximum service period on board, and the repatriation of seafarers still remain unsettled.

COVID-19로 인한 팬데믹은 21세기 인류가 당면한 가장 큰 고난 중의 하나라고 할 수 있다. 전방위로 모든 산업에 심각한 피해를 줬으며 특히, 산업현장의 노동자는 COVID-19로 변화된 근로 및 생활환경으로 많은 고통과 어려움을 지금도 겪고 있다. 선원은 팬데믹이 시작된 후 일찍이 필수업무종사자의 지위를 국제사회로부터 인정받았다. 또한 국제적으로는 해사노동협약을 통해서 이들의 권리 보장과 국제노동기준의 이행을 통해서 공정한 경쟁체제 확립에 노력하고 있다. 그러나 당사국이 준수해야 할 국제협약상의 의무와 국제기구의 권고에도 불구하고 해사노동협약상의 선원권리는 침해받고 선원의 안전보건이 더욱 위협받는 상황이 팬데믹 동안 발생하였다. 이 논문은 COVID-19에 대한 각국의 대응조치가 국제해운업계와 해사노동협약 이행에 끼친 영향분석과 함께 제4차 특별삼자간위원회를 통해서 채택된 2022년 해사노동협약 개정을 회의준비문서와 보고서를 중심으로 분석하였다. 채택된 8개의 해사노동협약 개정문은 선원의 권리와 안전보건에 있어서 향후 긍정적인 영향을 줄 것으로 기대되지만 선원의 최대근로시간, 최대승무기간 및 송환의 문제는 여전히 난제로 남아 있기 때문에 국제사회의 노력이 지속되어야 할 것이다.

Keywords

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