Fiji’ Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport will this year work on establishing the National Policy on Maritime Travellers Rights, with the series of Maritime Travellers’ Rights Public Consultation being conducted to obtain public input in the policy.
Minister Faiyaz Koya made this known while officiating at the consultation in Nadi today, adding in an effort to improve services in the local maritime sector, and in recognising the growing fundamental rights of maritime travellers, the Government was strengthening efforts to provide safe, efficient, reliable and affordable shipping services.
He said while the Government acknowledged the work of maritime stakeholders and the services they provided, the rights of travellers also needed equal attention.
“With a National Policy on Maritime Travellers Rights, what we want to achieve is a balance between the service provider and the traveller,” Mr Koya said.
“The service providers are able to compete in an environment that is regulated. So, the travellers also need a mechanism that will give protection, a redress mechanism, when there are delays or cancellation of trips by the vessel operator.
“The policy will establish a minimum set of rights for passengers travelling by sea and inland waters, and requires carriers to provide assistance in the event of cancelled or delayed departures.”
Mr Koya said the policy would also provide persons with disability the same right, as anyone else, to maritime services.
“This way, we are making the move to create a more considerate and supportive travel environment.”
Mr Koya says there are three major components of the Maritime Travellers Rights Policy – the passengers onboard the vessel, the cargo, and the vehicles onboard the vessel.
“Through this consultation, we want to hear from all of you – on your perspective on maritime travel – on what needs to improve and what needs to be done – what do you understand as being important to include as travellers rights.”
