Interworld Shipping Overseas Limited

(An international certified agency for professional recruitment)

Help 24/7

Anonymous story-sharing for seafarers facing problems at work.

ISOL is an anonymous platform for seafarers and those working in the Merchant Navy, Super-Yachts and Cruise Industries to raise awareness about some of the problems they face at work.

ISOL offers a safe space for victims and survivors of abuse (including sexual abuse), bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment) and discrimination – along with any other challenges faced at work – to share their stories, learn about workers’ rights, and provide a community of mutual support.

The ISOL 24/7 HELP TEAM realised that there was value in starting small, by targeting specific sections of the Bangladesh maritime community to help build awareness and trust in the initiative. As a result, a Facebook page targeted primarily towards Bangladeshi’s seafarers was launched in 2023, generating a high amount of interest and interaction in a short amount of time. In 2023, ISOL 24/7 HELP TEAM approached OSED to ask if the ISOL 24/7 HELP TEAM, who are experienced in seafarers welfare and emotional support, could absorb the platform under our existing umbrella of services.

Mission

ISOL’s mission is to improve the lives of Bangladeshi’s seafarers and their families worldwide through services, resources, strategies, and advocacy.

The values and vision of ISOL align with this mission, with the platform seeking to put the personal experiences of seafarers at the heart of sector-led initiatives which aim to tackle unacceptable workplace behaviours and improve working conditions.

How will this be achieved?

ISOL’s aim is to create a better understanding of the issues faced by seafarers by providing a platform for seafarers' voices to be heard, which in turn can be amplified to compel change in the sector. ISOL’s partner, OSED, is a technology start-up seeking to create a safe space for honest conversations among employees. Their use of technology to aggregate data from different sources is used by both businesses and industries to create a better understanding of the issues being faced by their employees.

Working with OSED, we will convert seafarers' real-life stories into trusted sources of anonymous data and insights, to build awareness and provide industry leaders with the information they need to create necessary changes to improve the lives of seafarers and their families in Bangladesh.

What's next for ISOL?

ISOL working with the seafarers to improve the lives of seafarers and their families in Bangladesh, is in a strong position to act as a coordinator of different sources of information about abuse, bullying and harassment in the industry, and to provide support and guidance to those who need it.

Alongside the existing Facebook page, in the coming months ISOL will be working to increase Seafarer reach to be inclusive of other maritime regions, communities, and industries. We will be working closely with our partners to improve the way we interpret and use the information we collect. We ultimately aim to work collaboratively with other proactive organisations, survivors, and advocates to increase sector awareness and lobby for change.

ISOL provides a confidential space for seafarers and individuals employed in the sector to share their experiences, offer peer-to-peer support and access resources and sources of help.

ISOL enables you to share your stories and speak your truth anonymously, knowing that you will be heard. By speaking up, you are fighting against often systemic cultures of toleration and silencing. Together, one story at a time, we can make the truth heard.

We invite you to anonymously share your story with us, from past or present, no matter how big or small, to help create change.

You may E-mail us at help@isol.com.bd or submit your story anonymously below.

Resources

Downloads:

Helplines:

You can access free, confidential, 24/7 help and support through the following multilingual helpline operated by ISOL: Seafarer Help for all seafarers and their families.
Or WhatsApp: +880 1982-547679