February 28, 2019

Ship Recycling Workers' Union in Alang Honors Dr. Nikos Mikelis for Improved Safety at Indian Yards 

Dr. Nikos Mikelis, non-executive director of GMS, has been honored by India’s ship recycling workers for his contribution to workers’ safety over the last decade. Dr. Mikelis has been instrumental in guiding the development and supporting the voluntary implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention on the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. While the Indian government is in the process of acceding to the Hong Kong Convention, already 77 out of 120 ship recycling facilities in Alang have voluntarily complied to the requirements of the Convention. The upgrading that has been taking place in Alang is already yielding benefits to the workers.

On the 26th of February during the visit of the fact-finding mission of the European Communities Shipowners Associations (ECSA) to the office of the ship recycling workers’ union in Alang, General Secretary of ASSRGWA Mr. Vidyadhar Rane bestowed the honor on behalf of India’s ship recycling workers to Dr. Mikelis for the laudable work he has done for the safe and sustainable recycling of ships. Note: ASSRGWA is the Alang Sosiya Ship Recycling & General Workers Association, which is the registered trade union representing 17,800 industry workers.