In commemoration of the 2023 Seafarer’s Day, the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has called on the government to look into tax exemption and effective enforcement of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the welfare of Nigerian seafarers as well as development of shipping.
Speaking during his opening speech at annual seafarers’ colloquium organized by the association in conjunction with the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in Lagos on Friday, the National President of the Nigerian Merchant Navy, Engr. Bob Yousuo noted that this year’s celebration of the Day of Seafarers themed: “Seafarers Contribution the Protecting Maritime Environment”, is in line with the World maritime theme MARPOL at 50.
Yousuo said seafarers transport about 85 percent of the world’s trade and hence their activities should be favorable to maritime biological and ecological balances. He added that it is very important for seafarers to abide by actions that help in protecting the Maritime environment for the purpose of climate change.
Speaking further, the Merchant Navy National President stressed that some of the challenges faced by Nigerian seafarers include: poor remuneration/delay in the payment of their wages, delay in the signing of their Certificate of Competency (COC), lack of effective CBA, unemployment, among others.
He however called on the government to look into ensuring that the CBA is signed and adhered to by shipowners, the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) for indigenous ship acquisition and most importantly tax exemption for Nigerian Seafarers adding that they hardly enjoy social amenities on ground as most of their time is spent at sea.
“Today we want to encourage Nigerian seafarers to restrain from joining and patronizing unrecognized bodies, either it the name of Merchant security outfit or otherwise. The Law, TUA, 2005 is very clear, NMNOWTSSA represents the Nigeria Seafarers (Officers) while MWUN stands in for the Ratings. There should not be any contrary organization or self-acclaimed organization to deceive anybody. Any certificate that falls short of MLC, 2006 as amended are not due for Seafarers, not recognized and accepted for seaman employment opportunity.
“We are urging the government to expedite action to ensure that the CVFF is disbursed to qualified indigenous shipowners in order to actualize the rationale behind the fund. By this, the indigenous shipowners will generate revenue, employment opportunity as well as Cadets placement onboard their vessels. We request the government to make it as policy that all vessels trading within Nigeria territorial waters to have cadets onboard.
“We are appealing to the government to look into our letter for tax exemption for Nigerian Seafarers. Seafarers hardly enjoy socio amenities on ground as most of their time is spent at sea. The Union still reiterates her position for the government to ensure that sea-time is provided for the Nigeria cadets” Yousuo noted.
Also speaking, the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Prince Adewale Adeyanju noted that it is imperative for seafarers to put more efforts to making sure the theme of this year’s seafarers day serves as a reflective motto in ensuring they always work in safe and secured atmosphere that would be physically healthy for seafarers at all times.
The President General who was represented by the Deputy President General, Comrade Harry Tonye stressed that agreements on industrial development to wage formation is to promote industrial, profitability and competitiveness.
“As we may now today, MARPOL has come to stay indelible in our seafarer’s way of life; as good health and hygienic maritime environment are the necessary and essential atmosphere to ply our noble trade as seafarers. In this regard preventing pollution from our vessels/ships must be our core responsibilities as by this means, seafarers will enjoy a healthy life at sea.
“The Collective Bargaining Agreement process entails that parties take a joint responsibility for wage development; where the parties present their shared views concerning the conditions for industrial operation. The purpose being to allow each party to conduct their union negotiation constructively without any industrial action and to reach new agreement with a balance result before the old agreement expires”, Adeyanju said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Capt. Abiodun Sule elucidated on seafarers’ contribution to protecting the maritime environment. He added that in West Africa, strict requirements are in operation, adding that vessels can be fined for not complying with pollution control measures.
Capt. Sule who was represented by Capt. Fola Ojutalayo stated that seafarers can contribute to protecting the maritime environment through knowledge-based training and professional capacity building, effective waste reduction and management amongst others.
On his part, a foremost Maritime Lawyer, Barr. Osuala Nwagbara in his paper stressed on the CBA as a veritable platform for harmonious industrial relationship and growth in the seafaring profession. He recommended that a seafarer’s minimum wage for both Ratings and Officers be included in the on-going negotiation of a minimum industry standard CBA for the Nigerian Seafarer.
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