PHOTO: Tonye Bakare
The Federal Government has threatened to sanction ship house owners who default within the implementation of the contributory pension scheme to assist the welfare of seafarers.
Besides, it has commenced the evaluation of minimal wage for seafarers.
Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, disclosed these on the celebration of the 2018 Day of The Seafarer organised by NIMASA, in Warri, Delta State on Monday.
However, he urged the employers of seafarers to make sure that they implement the contributory pension scheme for his or her staff, threatening to report erring employers to the Pension Commission for acceptable sanctions.
On the minimal wages, Peterside mentioned, “the National Joint industrial Council (NJIC) has concluded negotiations on the conditions of service of Nigerian Seafarers, including the minimum wages payable to all categories of seafarers. In this regard, l wish to assure you that the Agency will go the whole length in ensuring that the collective bargaining agreement CBA is implemented as agreed,”
Peterside mentioned: “It is believed that by addressing the difficulty of Seafarers wellbeing and notably their psychological well being, all different points affecting their psychological situations comparable to stress and melancholy may successfully be tackled by means of the adoption of efficient methods on this regard.
Calling on all employers to make sure the promotion of lLO’s respectable work Agenda which goals at selling the employees psychological well being and wellbeing, Peterside mentioned: “There is little doubt that Nigerians Seafarers are confronted with a lot of challenges which can be work associated and bordering on melancholy arising from lack of job alternatives and lengthy hours of labor with out commensurate pay. In most circumstances the seafarers work beneath strenuous situations which they're subjected to by their employers.
Governor, Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro, thanked NIMASA for sighting the Maritime University, Okerekonko in Delta State, and guaranteed of the state’s help to make sure that the aims of building the college is achieved.
Okowa, who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro mentioned the college, which has commenced operations, can be a source of coaching extra seafarers and add worth to the nationwide financial system.
President, Maritime Workers’ Union (MWUN), Adewale Adeyanju mentioned seafaring is a demanding and danger development carried out in a harmful workplace- the ocean.
He suggested the Federal Government to facilitate the institution of a nationwide shipping provider.
“We believe that if a national carrier is in place, it will solve some problems of seafarers and other workers,” he mentioned.
Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello, expressed his help for improved properly being of seafarers, noting that the function of seafarers can't be underrated, contemplating their contributions to world seaborne commerce.