The analysis of living and working conditions of maritime workers is an issue, which has been subject of different approaches and studies made by the research community individually. There are, also, organizations and institutions that devote all their efforts to the protection of the different type of workers who perform their work at sea.

The Maritime Work Watch (MWW) Network is an exciting new academic Project, which responds to the need to drawing together all the different research being carried out in this field of knowledge within a single network to unite under the same synergy researchers and research teams who, in an atomised way, have been addressing their research interest in maritime labour law issues. 

As the name of the network indicates, the subjective area of study is a broad one. It covers, for example, workers in the merchant navy, fishing workers, workers providing services on offshore platforms and staff from port services. We also believe that the material perspective of study should be cross-cutting and that it can and must encompass different fields of research such as: Employment Conditions; Training and Qualifications; Hiring Practises; Women and the Sea; Occupational Health and Safety, etc.

The Maritime Work Watch/MWW Network is integrated by different Spanish and French Research groups conducting a range of different projects related to this theme, both separately and in collaboration. The largest and most topical of these projects is the ERC-Human Sea project, coordinated by Prof. Chaumette from the University of Nantes, a recognised expert in the analysis of the living and working conditions of seafarers.

Our goal is to build the network of collaboration further, extending it to researchers and experts from different countries (primarily, but not exclusively, in the European Union) working in the very extensive field of maritime labour from a legal perspective. The aim is to share our thoughts and to put forward proposals relating to the present and future challenges encountered in this area of study.

The philosophy underlying this initiative is to promote collaboration and cooperation between researchers and research groups working in this field. The network is intended to act as a meeting point where we can develop future joint research and training activities, as well as organizing conferences, seminars and scientific activities where MWW Network members can share and discuss subjects of mutual interest.

The promoters of the initiative feel that the network should constitute a platform where young researchers working on these issues can find a meeting place and a venue for mutual enrichment with those who have had longer experience researching in academia. We believe these young researchers are the future and the guarantee of continued progress in this exciting field where there is still much that remains to be said and done. 

In launching this initiative, we invite anyone interested in the activities of the Maritime Work Watch/MWW Network to join with us, playing an active part in setting it up and participating in any of the network’s future actions. 

To join the network, please send an e-mail to Prof. Olga Fotinopoulou: [email protected], Ass. Professor of Labour and Social Security Law (University of the Basque Country. UPV/EHU).