Stricter limits on the sulphur content of shipping fuels are set to improve air quality along European coastlines and reduce the estimated 50,000 premature deaths caused each year by air pollution from ships. Parliament today approved legislation agreed with member states, which requires new general limits to be in place by 2020.
A proposal to include seafarers within the scope of five EU labour law Directives has been presented by the European Commission. The proposal would give them the same information and consultation rights in all 28 EU Member States as on-shore workers in cases of collective redundancies and transfers of undertakings. They would also have the right to participate in European Works Councils. The proposal will now go to EU's Council of Ministers and the European Parliament for approval.