– I am not surprised, there are many of us who work at sea who have spoken up. It is sad that it is like this, says fisherman Susanne Mortensen. In October 2021, she wrote a column on news Ytring about life as a female fisherman on board a fishing boat. At work, she was called a “whore”, “fat woman” and “weak”, among other things. She is one of several female fishermen who have come forward and told about serious harassment in the fishing industry. And now the Norwegian Maritime Directorate has asked sea employees throughout the country if they have experienced harassment and bullying at work. A full 27 percent answer yes. – These are serious numbers. We have a job to do with culture. It must be safe and good to work on board all ships for all employees, says Knut Arild Hareide. Maritime director Knut Arild Hareide takes the results of the latest survey seriously. Photo: Marthe Synnøve Johannessen / news The Director of Shipping sat in a meeting with other players in the maritime industry on Wednesday. The results of the maritime safety survey were presented here. They do this every year, but this year, for the first time, they have asked naval personnel if they have experienced bullying and harassment at work in the past year. Must be safe for women 8,400 people who work on fishing vessels, passenger ships and cargo ships have responded to the survey. 400 of these are women. Of the women, 15 percent respond that they have experienced sexual harassment at work. – It shows that women are particularly vulnerable, and it is demanding, because this is an industry that needs recruitment. We need skilled women to choose the maritime sector, and they need to know that it is safe to work here, says Hareide. Susanne Mortensen believes that even more women experience sexual harassment at work. – I think the dark figure is higher. But 15 percent is 15 percent. There should not be any form of harassment when you are at work, she says. – Shouldn’t have a lump in my stomach at work Managing director of the Shipping Association, Harald Solberg, says they take the speech seriously. Managing Director of the Shipping Association, Harald Solberg. Photo: Tore Linvollen / news – I am primarily disappointed. But also a little surprised. Working on board a ship must be exciting, challenging and developing. You must be safe when you go to work. Don’t have a lump in your stomach, says Solberg. The survey shows that 14 per cent have experienced backbiting and rumor-mongering at work. 11 percent respond that they have experienced personal criticism. Opinion has also carried out a survey among 1,100 members of the Seamen’s Association. Here, 25 percent answer that they have been bullied or harassed at work in the last three to four years. Director policy and contact with the authorities in the Norwegian Seamen’s Association, Stian Grøthe. Photo: Ådne Sandvik Dyrnesli / news – Both surveys show figures that are far too high, which our industry cannot be proud of and which we must do something about, says Stian Grøthe, director of policy and contact with the authorities at the Norwegian Seamen’s Association. But he is not surprised. – We have probably had a suspicion that this is not good. The culture is not good enough, he says. Will miss the profession Susanne Mortensen has had her last trip as a professional fisherman. – It wasn’t the nickname that was the worst. But when you are devalued, and the explanation model is that you are a woman and therefore cannot do your job, says Mortensen. Right now she is at home on maternity leave and is considering whether she should find another job or take further education. – When you are at work as a fisherman, you get to challenge yourself. You do a lot of different things, and you see a lot of the country. I will miss that, says Mortensen.
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27 percent of sea employees are bullied and harassed at work – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
