Seafarers, often the last line of support during global crisis, are facing job insecurity, underpayment, and neglect, evidenced during the COVID -19 when all land, rail and air movements were suspended, ships were still sailing carrying goods and trade all over the world according to the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, NAMM.
NAMM at its Quarterly Meeting and Paper Presentation held in Lagos last weekend called on the government to look at the opportunities in the industry, harness them to make seafaring attractive and sustainable to the younger generation.
Captain Dr. Rasheed Onakoya, a seasoned Mariner and Researcher, while delivering a paper at the event stated that seafarers play a vital role in the economy and deserved to be treated fairly with good training support and due regards to contractual rights.
Speaking on the topic, “The Nigerian Seafarer as a key worker: Steps towards tangible welfare and recognition”, stated that seafaring is a profession that requires highly skilled and qualified personnel who possess the expertise and resources to respond to the risks and challenges posed by the sea and the changing global climate.
Unfortunately, the rights of seafarers are often violated by shipping companies, with little or no recourse to agreement of service.
Rasheed called on the government to pay needed attention to the challenges being faced by training institutions; the quality of training they give out that are hindering them from meeting up with international standards.
“The resources at their disposal to provide that standard training for the seafarers in local and international training should be given priority”, he emphasized.
Rasheed urged maritime labour unions to champion the rights of seafarers and encourage young cadets to pursue a career in seafaring, and entice them with better working conditions and opportunities.
He charged regulatory agencies to prioritize the inclusion of maritime professionals in policy-making positions, strengthen enforcement of labour standards, and foster greater collaboration between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, shipping companies and others.
He went on to say, “What is available is not encouraging to the younger generation to venture into seafaring. Many seafarers work overtime in an environment that poses health risks, and they frequently endure underpayment or delayed wages.
“Additionally, they may receive inadequate medical care, and their employment can be terminated arbitrarily, without regard for their contractual rights or the constitutionally enshrined right to fair hearing. Our seafarers play a vital role in the economy and deserve to be treated fairly.
“Government seems not doing enough to encourage young shipping companies to thrive within the industry such as availability of fund and tax concession to enable them recruit our Seafarers.
“We cannot continue to pay lip service to the welfare of those who drive our maritime economy. It is disheartening that Nigeria has yet to fully implement the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) and related international frameworks that guarantee decent working and living conditions for seafarers”, he said.
Dr. Amos Kuje, a Master Mariner, while speaking on the topic, “Why do seafarers welfare matters”, at the event, harped on the need for stronger commitment to seafarers’ welfare and full implementation of the MLC 2006, saying their emotional and physical well-being directly impacts performance, safety, and efficiency.
He noted that despite seafarers’ experience, there’s a critical need to reflect on why their welfare matters, and how MLC 2006 shapes global standards for their protection.
“Neglecting seafarers’ welfare has far-reaching consequences, including poor working and living conditions that lead to vulnerability”, Dr. Kuje said, citing research by Reverend Cannon Kennan Peter.
“This vulnerability triggers psychological and physiological disturbances, weakening the body’s defences and increasing stress.
“The human element is central to maritime operations, and prioritizing seafarers’ welfare is a moral obligation and essential for a safer, sustainable industry.
“A hostile environment on board reduces efficiency and leads to negative coping mechanisms”, he added.
Captain Tajudeen Alao, National President of NAMM, in his speech expressed concern over Nigeria’s declining maritime education and training quality, stating it threatens the nation’s competitiveness in international shipping.
He emphasized, “Many trained seafarers and marine technicians are unemployable due to lack of globally recognized certifications like Certificate of Competency, CoC and Global Integrated Logistics Training, GILT.”
Alao stressed the importance of maintaining Nigeria’s position on the International Maritime Organisation, IMO White List, saying several maritime institutions risk delisting due to inconsistent regulatory oversight.
He urged collaboration between regulatory bodies, maritime academies, and the private sector to reform maritime education, aligning it with international standards.
“The law of demand and supply applies. We say there’s a surplus of manpower, but many aren’t properly trained. Without certification, no one will employ you abroad.
“Multiple agencies imposing their own standards create confusion. We’re teaching irrelevant subjects instead of focusing on competency-based training.
“Some of the persons that have certificates, when they get onboard the vessel, what they have in certificate and what ship owners will find in thier performance varies and puts a question marks in the validity of those certificates. There is need for improved policy decisions and placing the right people in the right position”, Alao recommended.
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