Local seafarers face mental, emotional challenges at sea: Koi
The mental and emotional impacts from being away from family for a long time is a common challenge local seafarers continues to face.
To help address this, Jane Koi is suggesting to local seafarers to connect with good reliable networks such as the Fiji Women in Maritime Association (Fiji WIMA).
Ms Koi, who is the president of WIMA, said such organisations enable a supportive environment for its seafarers and shore-based members alike.
As this week celebrates ‘International Day of the seafarer’, Ms Koi adds the strict health restrictions during the pandemic had kept seafarers away at sea longer.
“Scarcity of suitable employment at the height of COVID-19 due to strict health restrictions which resulted in seafarers being grounded for long periods,” she said.
“It is encouraging to see job opportunities gradually open up as a result on the ease of a few restrictions relating to COVID, allowing our seafarers to return to employment.”
As local seafarers return to work with restrictions eased, Ms Koi said more needs to be done to recognize seafarers in Fiji as key workers.
She said as in any form of employment, protecting the rights of workers was important.
“By providing a safe work environment and paying decent wages along with other rewarding benefits that is fit for purpose to the job are critical,” she said.
“Fiji WIMA is proud to have participated at the 2021 local maritime stakeholders’ consultation forum on the review of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2017) in the local Fiji context.
“The Association particularly advocated for decent pay and maternity leave entitlements. Fiji WIMA continues to advocate in these influential spaces.”
Reflecting on the important role of seafarers, Ms Koi said on average, 90 per cent of trade is reliant on shipping to deliver consumer goods to keep those supermarket shelves stocked.
“At the helm of getting cargo vessels from Port to Port are our seafarers, ensuring vessel schedules are maintained, cargoes are safely delivered to its destination port and safety of lives at sea maintained,” she said.
Ms Koi said it was also important to set a to recognise and celebrate the work and efforts of all seafarers in the maritime community.
“Happy Seafarers Day to all the amazing brave seafarers out there. Huge respect for their courage and dedication.”