Representatives of the Independent Union of Workers in Maritime Shipping and Transport have sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, warning about the jeopardization of strategic interests and workers’ rights in Montenegro’s maritime sector.
On behalf of the Union, the only representative branch union for seafarers and port workers in Montenegro and a member of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), the letter points out serious violations of constitutional and legal obligations regarding the management of state property, the protection of strategic resources, and workers’ rights in the maritime sector.
The Union highlighted that, despite its appeal, Montenegro did not participate in the meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee (STC) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) held in Geneva this month, where amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention were discussed.
“This omission is a serious oversight, especially considering that key amendments are set to be adopted at the International Labour Conference (ILC) on June 5,” the Union representatives said.
They explained that Montenegro had the exclusive right to appoint two delegates with full voting rights, similar to the largest maritime nations, but the government failed to utilize this opportunity, missing the chance to directly influence international standards that protect seafarers’ rights.
In addition to failing to protect the rights of seafarers at the international level, the Union warned that the government has also allowed the worsening of the situation in the state-owned company Montenegrin Shipping.
“The situation continues to deteriorate despite the efforts of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to control the situation in the company, efforts that deserve praise. This has further weakened the maritime sector, both in terms of preserving the national merchant fleet and protecting the workers’ social and labor rights. Unfortunately, the state has betrayed the expectations of seafarers after previously failing port workers,” the Union stated.
They also criticized the government’s response following the severe natural disaster last year that affected the Port of Bar. Instead of providing immediate financial aid for recovery, the government approved loan guarantees for the purchase of a mobile crane, shifting the burden of procurement onto employees.
“As a result of the government’s negligent ownership, the Port of Bar today lacks a single functional cargo handling bridge, even though we are witnessing the executive government allocating significant funds for projects of far lesser strategic importance,” the Union said.
The Union also pointed out that Port of Adria accumulated losses of EUR 40.49 million by the end of last year, without adequate government intervention.
“Although there are valid reasons, the government has not initiated the procedure to terminate the purchase agreement with Global Ports Holding. As a result, employees have been left unprotected, exposed to the continued economic decline of the company,” the Union stated.
In light of these issues, the Union concluded that Prime Minister Spajić is personally responsible for the current situation in the maritime sector. The lack of authority of the Minister of Maritime Affairs does not absolve him from constitutional and political responsibility for managing and protecting the strategic state property and workers’ rights in the maritime sector.
The Union emphasized that by failing to act, Spajić is violating the Constitution, the Law on State Property, and Montenegro’s international obligations as a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
“In a situation where the government still has the opportunity to rectify the shortcomings pointed out in the letter, the Union will remain a witness to all missed actions and will continue to highlight the consequences for Montenegrin seafarers, port workers, and the country’s strategic interests,” the letter concluded.
