A half day workshop on workplace harassment was held on 14 March 2024, at the NTUC Club@SingPost Centre.

Organised by Young SMOU (YSMOU), the workshop provided 28 YSMOU members and cadets from the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA) with basic understanding and the know-hows of managing workplace harassment.

Not a problem unique to Singapore, workplace harassment is a global concern that transcends borders and industries. The Business Times (28 Nov 2023) published a feature on ship crews’ welfare in which, findings from a seafarers’ survey conducted in 2023 by Danica Crewing Specialists found that one in 20 seafarers – “roughly one on every ship” – reported having experienced bullying, while 4 per cent felt they had been discriminated against because of race, and 1 per cent had experienced sexual harassment.

The impact of harassment, when experienced by seafarers onboard is significant, since a ship is often a seafarer’s home for months. It can affect seafarers’ mental health, cause a decline in efficiency and/or bring out feelings of isolation and humiliation.

Counsellor and family therapist Jeanette Houmayune, who was the trainer for the workshop, emphasised the need to educate seafarers how to deal with harassment – “It’s very critical, especially since the seafarers are onboard a vessel, which is a closed space. So, it’s paramount that they feel physically, emotionally and psychologically safe to work onboard the vessel. For them to have that sense of psychological safety, they need to be able to identify what’s inappropriate behaviour, know their rights, call out such acts and protect themselves.”

The workshop taught the youth to identify workplace harassment and recognise its tell-tale sign. By understanding, the different types of harassment, individuals can better navigate their work environments and take appropriate action when necessary.