National policy
Equal rights to all travellers
THE Ministry of Transport is working on establishing the national policy on maritime travellers’ rights. The policy will establish a minimum set of rights for passengers travelling by sea and inland waters. It will also require carriers to provide assistance in the event of cancelled or delayed departure. Transport Minister Faiyaz Koya highlighted the policy during the maritime travellers’ rights consultation that was held in Nadi and Lautoka last week. He said the policy would 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,” he said.
He said with the national policy, what the ministry wanted to achieve was a balance between the service provider and travellers.
“The service providers are able to compete in an environment that is regulated.
The travellers also need a mechanism that will give protection, a redress mechanism when there are delays or cancellations of trips by the vessel operator.”
The ministry had studied and benchmarked a few jurisdictions such as the European
Union (EU) who had adopted regulations to confirm rights to passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterways.
“We are also looking at its application in Australia and New Zealand.”
He said there are three components of the maritime travellers’ rights policy which are: the passengers’ onboard the vessel; the cargo; and the vehicles onboard the vessels.
“Through this consultation we want to hear from all of you your perspective on maritime travel, on what needs to improve and what needs to be done, what you understand as being important to include as travellers rights. Your input is critical in making this national policy inclusive and robust.
“A policy that is there for the long-term and that provides guidance for the development appropriate legal framework that protects all travellers.”
Key industry stakeholders and the Maritime Travellers’ Right Steering Committee are partnering with the ministry. It comprises of the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, Consumer Council of Fiji, the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, Fiji Ports Corporation and the office of the Solicitor-General.