Expand Regulatory Dimensions, Deepen Source Governance—Weaving a Tight Protective Net for Seafarer Rights

On the afternoon of September 3, a unique joint inspection was conducted at Shanghai Haitong Shipping Technology Co., Ltd. Yangpu Maritime Safety Administration teamed up with the Hongkou District Federation of Trade Unions to integrate maritime routine supervision with the "legal check-up" of labor employment by trade unions. This new cross-department collaboration model aims to "diagnose and treat" seafarer dispatch agencies and add an extra "safety lock" to protect the legal rights of seafarers.

Departmental Collaboration for Synergy, Unified Direction in Regulation and Service

This initiative involved the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, Yangpu Maritime Safety Administration, Hongkou District Federation of Trade Unions, North Bund Subdistrict Federation of Trade Unions, and professional labor lawyers. The maritime authorities conducted compliance inspections of institutions according to the law, while the trade unions focused on safeguarding seafarers' rights and providing guidance on employment norms. Both sides leveraged their strengths and complemented each other, enhancing regulatory rigor while adding a touch of service warmth.

Detailed Checks Against Standards, Responsibility Pressed with Strictness

The inspection strictly adhered to the "Regulations on the Management of Seafarer Dispatch in the People's Republic of China" and the checklist of supervision and inspection items. It focused on key areas such as qualifications and system construction, operational management norms, emergency and risk control. A comprehensive, checklist-based enforcement inspection was conducted on the enterprise. Results showed that the basic framework for seafarer management was generally sound, but issues such as irregular certificate management, outdated regulations, incomplete agreement elements, and the absence of overseas personal accident insurance systems were exposed. Maritime law enforcement officers issued written rectification opinions on-site, specifying the basis, standards, and deadlines for each issue, emphasizing "who dispatches, who is responsible," and urging the enterprise to take primary responsibility for the management and service assurance of dispatched seafarers.

Dual Perspectives of Enforcement and Employment, Hidden Issues Uncovered

Notably, this joint inspection achieved an organic integration of the "enforcement perspective" and the "employment perspective." Maritime personnel focused on whether institutions were fulfilling their legal obligations in seafarer management, while the trade union team conducted a "legal check-up" from labor relations dimensions such as labor contracts, salary and social security, working hours, and leave. The two perspectives complemented each other, uncovering issues like employment contract flaws and blind spots in insurance coverage that single inspections might miss. For the identified risks, both parties provided legal explanations and solutions on-site, referencing the "Regulations on the Management of Seafarer Dispatch," "Labor Contract Law," and the "2006 Maritime Labour Convention." They guided enterprises to improve contract terms and enhance protection mechanisms, resolving disputes at their inception and achieving "rigorous regulation with a warm touch of service."

Building Long-Term Mechanisms, Source Governance for Safe Voyages

This joint inspection represents an innovative practice by the Yangpu Maritime Safety Administration to expand regulatory dimensions and deepen source governance. It also provided valuable experience for the collaboration between maritime regulation and trade union services. Moving forward, the Yangpu Maritime Safety Administration will systematically summarize the pilot results, further consult with local trade unions, and promote the implementation of normalized collaboration mechanisms such as information sharing, joint inspections, clue transfers, and joint legal education. This will continuously enhance the management efficiency of seafarer dispatch agencies, ensuring that every seafarer embarks on their journey with confidence and returns home with peace of mind.