Workers in the international offshore oil and gas sector gathered in Australia to discuss the ongoing issues in the global trade.
Maritime Union of Australia Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman, who chaired the meeting, said that the industry was an enormous money-spinner, worth USD 200 billion in coming years in Australia alone.
“This means the employers have deep pockets,” Doleman said.
“We can’t conquer them on our own so we need to work together, we need to act as a movement.”
His thoughts were echoed by Hanafi Rustandi, President of the Indonesian Seafarers’ Union (KPI), who said countries in his region needed to work together.
Maritime Union New Zealand National Secretary Joe Fleetwood said the recently-formed Regional Maritime Federation (RMF), which brings together maritime unions from Australia New Zealand and Papua New Guinea would help build strength and capacity in the region.
Fleetwood said it was hoped that Indonesia and Timor Leste would soon join the RMF.
Questions from the floor came from union and ITF representatives from Africa, Brazil, Canada and India.