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At its 329th Session (March 2017), the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) endorsed the proposal for including a sectoral meeting on the recruitment and retention of seafarers and the promotion of opportunities for women seafarers in the programme of sectoral meetings for 2018-19. The purpose of the Meeting would be to discuss the issues raised in resolution 11 concerning the recruitment and retention of seafarers, and the resolution 2 regarding the promotion of opportunities for women seafarers, as adopted by the 94th (Maritime) Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in 2006.

The resolution concerning recruitment and retention of seafarers - adopted at the 94th (Maritime) Session (2006) of the ILC - noted that there was a projected shortage of suitable qualified seafarers and that it was fundamental to the sustainable operation of the maritime sector that it be able to continue to attract new entrants and establish proper career paths for officers. The resolution acknowledged the industrial change occurring in 'traditional' maritime countries which was leading to a substantial loss of their maritime skills base. It considered the need to improve the conditions of work and opportunities for seafarers, and that the recruitment and retention of seafarers in a global labour market was a complex issue, involving a social, political and economic dimension and - where appropriate - the provision of suitable policies by government and industry.

This report was prepared for discussion at the Sectoral Meeting on the Recruitment and Retention of Seafarers and the Promotion of Opportunities for Women Seafarers (Geneva, 25 February - 1 March 2019). Chapter 1 provides a general overview of the maritime sector in order to place the issues of recruitment and retention in context. Chapter 2 focuses on the factors that impact the recruitment of seafarers. Chapter 3 describes the challenges linked to the retention of seafarers. Chapter 4 addresses the factors that impact the participation of women seafarers in the sector.

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