Maritime Law and Management Faculty of National University «Odessa Maritime Academy» held a series of events on the occasion of the Law Week from 11 till 13 December, 2018.

A briefing on «Protection of Seafarers’ Rights in Ukraine and Beyond» which gathered over 100 people including cadets, academics and guests of the University was held on December 11, 2018. The main speaker at the briefing was Oleg Grigoruk, First Vice-Chairman of the Marine Transport Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine (MTWTU). He delivered a speech on the role of the Trade Union in the system of protection of labour rights of Ukrainian seamen operating on ships of foreign shipowners. He also briefed the participants on the work of MTWTU, gave advice how to avoid becoming victims of fraud during employment, told about the creation and activities of the Marine Information Center of MTWTU with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the fight against the criminalization of seamen’s activities and other important areas of work.

The event was continued by Julia Pelikh, Adviser to the Chairman who explained some points related to the imposition of martial law in Ukraine. Olga Savich, Head of Maritime Law Department of NU «ОМА» reported on the role of civil society institutions in protecting the rights of seafarers.