Sunday 9th July is ‘Sea Sunday’
It is relatively easy sometimes to be aware of workers and their situations because of our own experiences or those of others we know. When workers feel pushed to the limit and take strike action, we can become particularly conscious of their situations. However, some workers and the expectations placed on them remain completely hidden. One such group are seafarers and fishers. The MCW Review newsletter has on a few occasions highlighted both the difficulties of those who work at sea and the role played by Stella Maris formerly known as the Apostleship of the Sea.
At an MCW European conference I was privileged to be able to be part of a visit to a Stella Maris seafarers’ centre and heard about the work they had to do within the local port. I was reminded of this only a couple of weekends ago when staying overnight at someone’s house. My host has a copy of the Financial Times delivered each Saturday and the FT Weekend Magazine (June 17/18, 2023) had a 5-page feature entitled: ‘The fishermen’. A survival story by Antonia Cundy describes the fate of 4 fishermen from the Philippines; firstly, as workers on the boats and then, once injured or falling sick, their change of circumstances in ports a long way from home. A salient comment within the article is “While British consumers imagine their seafood is caught by a local captain birdseye, much of it is, in fact, fished by low paid migrants employed through an immigration loophole that leaves them vulnerable to exploitation.”
The fishers arrive without being subject to normal immigration controls or protection by being given ‘transit visas’ which gives them a 48-hour period to travel through the UK to join a ship which then can become their place of work and living for the next 8 to 12 months. Cundy notes the reliance on this “largely invisible workforce” of our local fish and chip shops as well as supermarkets. One of the men featured in this article benefited from the intervention of a Stella Maris visitor. Here is noted that Stella Maris the international Catholic charity, “which traditionally works with overseas merchant seafarers, has increased outreach to fishermen in response to the rising number of migrant crew”.
For me it was serendipitous as it reminded me that Sea Sunday is promoted and celebrated at the beginning of July. The Stella Maris newsletter text this year says: ‘Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions, In the last year, more crews have been abandoned by their employers than ever before. Many are still being denied the right to leave their ships for even a short break away from the relentless noise and pressure onboard. Many are reporting more stress and poorer mental health’. The Stella Maris Appeal Talk includes the following passage ‘In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus say “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest”. Stella Maris has over 1,000 chaplains and volunteers in ports all over the world, who help seafarers and fishers when they are overburdened and in need of rest.’
A story that will be shared during their appeal relates to a ship arriving at Teesport last year. ‘It had 22 seafarers on board. Two Stella Maris ship visitors conducted a routine visit, taking with them welcome packs and bags of clothing. It transpired that the crew was under huge mental and physical strain. One confided that during the voyage to Teesport from the USA, he had only been getting two hours sleep a night because he was so stressed and overworked. He was also concerned that the crew were no longer able to operate the vessel safely as they were all exhausted. The Stella Maris team contacted the relevant authorities, and a vessel detention notice was served that afternoon. As a result, the seafarers were able to go ashore for the first time in many months and spent time relaxing at the port’s seafarers’ centre. ‘Eleven of the crew were repatriated to the Philippines later that month.’
Please see www.stellamaris.org.uk and https://ig.ft.com/filipino-fishermen re all above
Chloe Smith, Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution 07/09/2021 whilst moving the second reading of the Elections Bill (Hansard.parliament.uk)
Are you aware of the new voting regulations?
It is really important that you are and that you spread the word to others!
Before you can vote at your polling station you must show photo ID.
There are some elections in England scheduled to take place on 4th May 2023. They will include some district councils, unitary authorities and directly elected mayors. The need for photo ID to be able to vote will be implemented for the first time at these elections.
This change in access to voting was included in the 2019 Conservative manifesto. The subsequent Elections Bill, referred to in the quote above, was said to be seeking to keep ‘our elections secure, fair, transparent and up to date’. The basis for the bill was to protect the ‘security and integrity’ of our voting system.
The changes made to enable these stated principles will be further extended to include UK General Elections from October 2023. It is vital that we are all aware of these new regulations so as to be prepared for future elections which will no doubt be coming our way!
On the website of The Electoral Commission there is a list of the acceptable forms of ID. If you do not have any of these identifications it also explains how an application can be made for a free voter ID document called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’. The deadline for applying for this certificate, if needed before May 4th elections, is Tuesday 25th April 2023. Details of the information required to apply for the certificate is on the website www.electoralcommission.org.uk
The Local Government Association (LGA), chaired by a Conservative councillor, has issued a warning that the requirements are too strict. Also, as these new regulations now apply, there has been inadequate notification to voters. The chair of the LGA has said “Raising public awareness of these new requirements is crucial, and we remain concerned about the potential for electoral staff to be over-whelmed with enquiries and voter authority certificate applications when polling cards go out” (The Observer, 26/02/23). Whilst this is a concern there are other issues which the MCW NEC feel need addressing. What is clear is that this process is not necessarily an easy one for those without internet access. It is just as likely that someone who does not have a photo ID may also not have access to obtaining an on-line application for this free voter ID certificate.
elliott-stallion-1UY8UuUkids-unsplash(1)
This means applying for a paper copy by contacting the local Electoral Registration Office, which in turn means contacting their local council office by phone, which is not always an easy process.Thus the MCW is asking that you share this information in whatever forum you might be engaged. Whether involved in political, trade union, local community or faith related activism this information needs to be widely circulated before polling day. It can be by word of mouth or newsletters or posters; all three in fact. However, alongside spreading the information will be the need to practically support some people by assisting and enabling their access to obtaining this official voter authority certificate. If potential voters cannot access the required documents then their voice is being stolen too.
MESSAGE FOR WOMEN'S DAY
“THE CHALLENGE OF CARING for THE THREADS OF LIFE”
International Women’s Day has its origin in a tragic event on 8th March 1908. It is repeated again in 2022 in the midst of a health pandemic which has wreaked havoc in the economies and societies of the world. Also it has showen us the structural inequalities existing in all areas of our lives.
At this particular time of crisis women have been at the frontline inside and outside of the home. In the private sphere the vast majority of unpaid care work already falls on the backs of women, because of the pandemic this has increased. In the social sphere their role has been essential in running the soup kitchens, the organising of neighbourhood initiatives and health promotions. This has been done regardless of their personal resources and institutional capacity being limited, their rights unrecognized and threatened. Despite this work by women, social and protection systems have broken down with calls for help, complaints of violence and sexual abuse increasing. Women were left in conditions of greater vulnerability, with a rise of feminicides as the cruellest expression against them.
In this same vein, in terms of employment, it is undeniahle that all over the world women have been the most affected by dismissals and wage reductions before and during the pandemic, worsening the imbalances and the negative consequences. In fact, America had the greatest regional fall in women’s employment due to the pandemic. According to ILO data it is expected that in 2022 men’s employment will be recuperated at 2019 level (68,6% of working-age men with jobs), while working-age women’s employment will only be recuperated at 43,5%.
Therefore, women’s situation in the region remains gloomy. For that reason, it is urgent to straighten the ways, to rectify these historical inequalities, to break the silence and to build a more humane world. It is important to fight against other pandemics that keep killing women, so that they do not have to live in these most precarious situations.
In the midst of these deepening differences that affect women’s lives, the question to achieve solidarity and sisterhood is where is your brother? (Gn 4:9). In other words we will say to them where is your sister? Because if the voices of brothers and sisters cry out together voices will be raised, ears will listen and be heard. This has to happend to stop the violence against women and children who die because of injustice..
In this way as a World Movement of Christian Workers, we are called to present history every day. As Pope Francis says bearing witness to the Good News is also to build hope and to push back the violence and injustice. This is why we commemoration 8th March, International Women’s Day, for our sisters, with the love and the vocation of continuing to care for the threads of life, even if it means doing without comforts and costumes.
Message written by MCW Peru
GOD OF LOVE,
We know that Man and Woman
you create us whether Man or Woman, you love us,
from the beginning of creation!
GOD OF RESPECT,
We know that from the beginning of times
You respect all and each of us
With our differences and our similarities!
GOD OF JUSTICE,
We know that your Son Jesus knew to listen
rejected, harmed, exploited, unloved women
And we know that doing it he astonished, even scandalized!
GOD OF LIFE
Give us the courage to follow your Son’s steps
give us the strength to show respect for all life,
And on all occasions.We ask you GOD: our FATHER and Our MOTHER
For ever and ever! Amen
Prayer of Bernard ROBERT
WMCW Chaplain
https://mmtc-infor.com/en
