Omicron: Merchant Navy Officers charge employers to provide protective measures for seafarers 

The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has called on ship owners and employers of seafarers to provide necessary protective apparatus against the spread of Omicron to workers.

The National President of the union, Chief Bob Yousuo, made the call in his new year message to maritime stakeholders while affirming the commitment of the union towards ensuring better welfare packages for members in the year 2022.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) affiliate also urged Al cadres of seafarers to work together to steer the ship forward saying every crew  member plays a key role.onboard vessels

Yousuo also predicted that seafaring activities in the sub sector would witness tremendous changes in 2022.

He stated that the union would strengthen its tie with the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to better the lots of workers adding that seafarers are veritable components for shipping business.

His words, “We will continue to ensure that welfare of our members is paramount to us as a union because as a group of seafarers under the NMNOWTSSA we are commitment .

“We and our counterpart from the MWUN will continue to collaborate for the betterment of seafarers..

The seasoned seafarer urged all officers both onboard vessels and ashore to join the union which they rightly belong as enshrined in the Trade Union Amendment Act .

“We must understand that any house that is divided against itself can not stand.  To defeat our common enemy, employers of labour that enslave seafarers, we must consciously and sincerely have a united front against our distractors.

“The union needs the Seafarers and as well the seafarers need the union. We must understand that the union can’t work in isolation.lets embrace the union and in return, the union will ensure that seafarers Rights are not trampled upon by both the employers, Manning Agents and the regulatory agency (NIMASA).

“The National Secretariat is open to us all for contributions, opinions as well as constructive criticism. Let’s ensure our respective companies will work are unionize and CBAs are put in place. Without CBA Some Companies are bet on slave wages.

“To serve you better, the union needs your understanding and cooperation. All hands must be on decks to make the industry a better place for us.

“It’s my humble  prayers that God will protect and guard us as we sail round the world in 2022 and beyond.  May this year be better than last year as I wish all seafarers a very prosperous NEW YEAR.

Solidarity for ever,” he submitted.