(21 February 2006 - RV) The International Labor Organisation has put the final touches
on a new treaty to protect seafarers from exploitation in difficult and dangerous
working conditions. The treaty is expected to be completed and ratified by many of
the I.L.O.'s 178 member nations this week. Archbishop Silvan Tomasi is the Holy See's
Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva, which includes the I.L.O. He
told Philippa Hitchen why this agreement is so significant.