The Ethical Sting: Shipping Firms Reaping Rewards Amid Labor Exploitation in Bangladesh

Shipping Firms Profit from Labor Abuse in Bangladesh

Introduction

In a report released today, Human Rights Watch and the NGO Shipbreaking Platform have accused European shipping companies of knowingly sending their end-of-life ships for scrap in dangerous and polluting yards in Bangladesh. This practice allows the companies to profit at the expense of Bangladeshi lives and the environment. The report reveals the various loopholes that shipping companies exploit in international regulations to circumvent labor and environmental protections. The organizations call for increased investment in safe and sustainable ship recycling practices and the revision of EU rules to close these loopholes.

The Exploitation of Bangladeshi Shipbreaking Workers

The report highlights the numerous hazards faced by shipbreaking workers in Bangladesh. These workers often lack adequate protective equipment, training, and tools to safely dismantle the ships. They describe using their own clothes as makeshift protective gear, which exposes them to burn injuries from molten steel and toxic fumes. The lack of accessible emergency medical care further exacerbates the risks to their wellbeing. As a result of these dangerous conditions, the life expectancy for men in the shipbreaking industry in Bangladesh is 20 years lower than the average.

Child labor is also prevalent in shipbreaking yards, with an estimated 13 percent of the workforce being children. This number increases to 20 percent during illegal night shifts. Many workers begin working in shipbreaking at a young age, with interviews revealing that they start as early as 13 years old. Furthermore, shipbreaking workers are frequently denied breaks, sick leave, and fair compensation in violation of Bangladesh labor laws.

The Environmental Impact

The shipbreaking process in Bangladesh involves beaching the ships directly onto the sand, which poses significant hazards to workers and causes environmental damage. Toxic waste is dumped directly onto the beach and into the surrounding sea, contaminating the sand and impacting the health of the coastal ecosystem. Asbestos, a highly toxic material, is handled without protective equipment and sometimes sold on the second-hand market, further affecting the health of the surrounding communities.

Although international and regional laws prohibit the export of ships to countries lacking adequate environmental and labor protections, companies have found ways to circumvent these regulations. European shipping companies, for example, sell their ships to cash buyers who use shell companies during resale to scrapyards in Bangladesh, making it challenging to trace the entities responsible for the sale. The lack of enforcement of international laws and regulatory standards allows ships to be scrapped under dangerous and environmentally damaging conditions.

The Need for Action and Reform

The organizations behind the report, Human Rights Watch and the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, propose several measures to address these issues. They assert that the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which will come into force in 2025, needs to be strengthened to ensure a safe and sustainable ship recycling industry. Additionally, countries should adhere to existing international labor and environmental laws regulating ship disposal, such as the Basel Convention.

Furthermore, companies should invest in building stable platform facilities that fully protect workers’ rights and handle waste disposal, rather than greenwashing unsafe practices. The report also emphasizes the need for the EU to revise its Ship Recycling Regulation to hold shipping companies accountable and prevent them from evading the law. Ultimately, the cost of sustainable ship recycling should be borne by the shipping sector, rather than by the people and the environment in Bangladesh.

Conclusion

The exploitation of shipbreaking workers in Bangladesh by European shipping companies is a grave human rights issue that cannot be ignored. The hazardous working conditions, lack of protective equipment, and disregard for labor laws have resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities. Moreover, the environmental impact of shipbreaking in Bangladesh is significant, with toxic waste being dumped directly into the beach and sea. The international community, led by the EU, must take immediate action to revise regulations, close loopholes, and enforce existing labor and environmental laws to put an end to these unethical practices. Only by holding shipping companies accountable and investing in safe and sustainable ship recycling can we protect the lives of Bangladeshi workers and preserve the environment.