Ship breaking

What this presentation covers: What ships contain Impact on Environment Working Conditions Benefits of Ship breaking

What ships are made out of Old ships weigh an average of 13,000 tons ▫95% painted steel ▫Paint can include 10 and 100 tons of lead, cadmium, organotins, arsenic, zinc and chromium. ▫Ships also contain PCBs, oils, greases, and asbestos, POP’s (Persistent Organic Pollutants) ▫Heavy Metals on electrical connections.

Impact on Environment Oil covers the seashores of Bangladesh, harming aquatic life. ▫Also harmful to birds which hunt in the water. Ammonia pollution changes the PH of the seawater, making the water toxic. Metal fragments and rust mix with the sand, making it lose it’s binding properties increasing erosion.

Working Conditions Few safety standards/equipment available ▫Child labor used (10.94% of workforce) ▫Safety equipment not provided (such as hard hats, gloves, shoes/boots, safety glasses) ▫Fall prevention equipment and standards not used ▫No minimum wage, no job security, no training ▫No trade unions, no workers rights

Working Conditions continued Many die from falling off ships, or materials falling on them. Workers often suffer some sort of injury, from loss of vision, dismemberment, disfigurement, and even death. Workers are exposed to asbestos, lead, heavy metals, poisons, and other toxins that are proven to be deadly.

Video on working conditions

Worker Compensation If worker disabled they receive 10 to 15 thousand taka (1 USD = 71 taka) If worker dies, family receives only 50,000 taka ▫From 1965 to 2006 maximum 21K taka for dead, 30K taka for disabled ▫Labor Law Act of 2006 proposed disabled worker will get 100,000 taka Average daily pay of taka for a 12 hour shift

Benefits of Shipbreaking Bangladesh doesn’t have a source of iron, so shipbreaking provides that. Recycles almost 100% of the ship’s contents, from furniture to lubricants Generates tax income for Bangladesh, nearly 900 million taka Provides employment for those who would otherwise have no employment

Conclusion Ship breaking is a complex industry that has definite pros and cons for those involved. Most push for labor laws and regulation instead of complete abolition of the industry, because of it’s pros.

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