1. Welfare Port Commitees How to promote, form, encourage and support them

2. Starting from the ILO MLC 2006 The new labour standard consolidates and updates more than 65 international labour standards related to seafarers adopted over the last 80 years The Convention sets out seafarers' rights to decent conditions of work on a wide range of subjects, and aims to be globally applicable, easily understandable, readily updatable and uniformly enforced.

3. ILO CONVENTION MLC 2006 4th pillar of quality shipping (with SOLAS, STCW, MARPOL) A comprehensive set of basic maritime labour principles and rights Application to all ships including those of non-ratifying Members Improved social dialogue at all levels INCLUDING CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS

4. Stella Maris Clubs: PROTAGONISTS Welfare facilities and services should be provided, in accordance with national conditions and practice, by one or more of the following: (a) public authorities; (b) shipowners' and seafarers' organizations and (c) voluntary organizations. Necessary welfare and recreational facilities should be established or developed in ports. These should include: (a) meeting and recreation rooms as required; (b) facilities for sports and outdoor facilities, including competitions; (c) educational facilities; and (d) where appropriate, facilities for religious observances and for personal counselling.

5. The new MLC 2006 has not been ractified but it is a responsible and authoritative Convenction. Starting from: …….. Working while the governements will ractify ….. Practically applying the rules and suggestions of the MLC 2006

6. Local sensibilization: port by port The italian experience started with unofficial meetings between local Stella Maris, the maritime authorities and the Cities Mayors A national TOUR may help in having a good help from the MEDIA with activities to involve the port cities To get a UNIQUE and CENTRALIZED ORGANIZATION you should try to INVOLVE the NATIONAL MARITIME AUTHORITIES and make a NATIONAL SEAFARER WELFARE COMMITTEE