The latest Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) report for Quarter 2, 2023, reveals a further decline in overall happiness reported by participating seafarers.
The survey is an initiative led by The Mission to Seafarers, conducted in association with NorthStandard and Idwal, and supported by Inmarsat, measures the wellbeing of seafarers worldwide through ten key questions about their work and life. These results are benchmarked with previous surveys to identify trends, concerning factors and areas of improvement, which is published for the industry to improve standards and learn from successes.
The latest report shows an overall fall in seafarer satisfaction from 7.1/10 to 6.77/10, compared to Q1 2023. In contrast to previous years’ results, it is most notable that happiness levels have not risen over the course of the calendar year. Areas contributing to an approximate 8% decrease in satisfaction include shore leave and crew changes, wages and workload, limited internet access, and inadequate gym facilities.
Major concerns this quarter include a reported shortage of available drinking water, which surprisingly was a common problem from those responding to the survey, despite this being explicitly covered by the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Another concern is insufficient food supplies due to low company meal budgets and expense cuts, impacted by rising food prices globally.
Capt Yves Vandenborn, Head of Loss Prevention Asia-Pacific at NorthStandard, says: “NorthStandard is concerned about the frustrations voiced by seafarers as the Seafarers Happiness Index has fallen for a second consecutive time in 2023. The report spotlights issues in areas such as crew changes, stagnant wages, increased workloads, and limited access to shore leave. Happiness levels falling across all categories signals a sustained drop in positivity and the responses from seafarers paint a worrying snapshot of the conditions they are experiencing. The club will continue to raise awareness of the key issues in a bid to enhance seafarers’ working conditions, overall wellbeing and satisfaction within the maritime industry.”
The next phase of the initiative will take place during London International Shipping Week in September 2023, where further progress will be made in transforming feedback into concrete action.
Read the full Seafarers Happiness Index report for Q2 2023,
here.
Source:
NorthStandard
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