COVID19: Seafarers union wants employers to protect members on-board vessels

Segun Oladipupo |

The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNO/WTSSA) has called on seafarers’ employers to provide proper protection of personnel on-board their vessels amid the raging coronavirus pandemic.

The senior officers’ union also appealed to crew on board vessels who have not been able to see their families because of difficulty of change of crew in the face of covid -19 to see the situation as their own sacrifice to the pandemic.

The union therefore tasked manning agents, shipping, fishing and offshore companies to put up all necessary measures that will guarantee the safety and mental well-being of on-board crews as they continue to work for the survival of the nation’s economy.

National President of the seafaring union, Comrade Bob Yousou while responding against the backdrop of President Muhammadu Buhari additional two weeks stay at home directives, noted that seafarers have been denied the opportunity of being with their family and loved ones, during the lockdown where crew change is a big issue , which has made them to remain onboard beyond the normal period.

According to a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday in Lagos, the Union boss reiterated that crews should be appreciated in any capacity the management could, adding that motivation is a key word for efficiency and productivity.

He stressed that words of encouragement from employers to the officers can go a long way to achieving the desired goals while at work or at sea.

While sympathising with the crews onboard who have overstayed due to no crew change, Yousou urged seafarers to consider the present condition as part of their sacrifice for the global covid 19 pandemic, even as he appealed to officers onboard to adhere strictly to all the necessary preventive measures as directed by world health organization (WHO) and our health professionals in other to avoid being infected with the virus.
Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele