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Australian Seafarers' Welfare Council

Information for you

What is a Port Welfare Committee (PWC)?

A PWC consists of representatives from welfare providers, industry, government and unions, with a common goal of providing quality seafarer welfare facilities in their port.

While there are many similarities, each port is different in the way it operates and caters for the welfare of international seafarers.   A PWC will work together to resolve any seafarer welfare issues at their port.

How do we establish a PWC?

The International Seafarers’ Welfare Assistance Network (ISWAN) website provides a Port Welfare Committee Toolkit’ for creating a port welfare committee.

What is ASWC’s role in a PWC?

ASWC’s aim is to facilitate a national network of PWC’s and provide an avenue to share common issues and solutions, to common problems.

You can contact AWSC at; labourconvention@amsa.gov.au

What is the International Port Welfare Partnership (IPWP) Project?

The IPWP project aims to work with representatives of appropriate international maritime organisations, governments, ship owners, maritime unions, port owners/authorities and voluntary organisations to establish and support Welfare Boards/Port Welfare Committees, in accordance with the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.

The IPWP is an ISWAN pilot project funded by the International Transport Workers' Federation Seafarers' Trust and managed by the United Kingdom Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB).

Visit the IPWP Project website for more information about the project.

The IPWP Project website also provides case studies to show the progress of newly formed PWCs, including Australia’s own Gladstone Port Welfare Committee.

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ITF Seafarers
Ports Australia
Australian Shipowners Association
Shipping Australia Limited
The Australian Mariners' Welfare Society
Mission to Seafarers
rightship
Stella Maris