NIMASA lauds ILO on laws to safeguard merchant ships

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside has commended member states of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Shipowners and representatives of seafarers for taking cognisance of welfare of Seafarers in the amendments to the MLC 2006 Convention.

Dr. Dakuku spoke at the side-lines of ongoing 107th session of the International Labour Conference taking in Geneva place Switzerland where majority of the member states and stakeholders in the maritime sector overwhelmingly voted for amendments to the convention with special attention to seafarers welfare.

He stated that with these amendments, seafarers would no longer forfeit their remuneration in the event of their being kidnapped or captured by pirates or sea robbers during the course of their duty adding that the amendment is very relevant to areas still prone to sea robbery, kidnapping and piracy.

“With the recent amendment, each member shall require that a seafarer’s employment agreement shall continue to have effect while a seafarer is held captive on or off the ship as a result of acts of piracy or armed robbery against ships, regardless of whether the date fixed for its expiry has passed or either party has given notice to suspend or terminate it,” he said.

Dr. Dakuku at the opening session had charged stakeholders and industry players to consider geopolitical peculiarities while reviewing the MLC 2006 Convention.