60% Of Nigerian Seafarers’ Yet To Benefit From NJIC , As Merchant Navy Union Decries Failing Enforcement

By Roland Ekama

The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of enforcement of the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) in the last two years by the regulatory body, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The union says the tripartite arrangement has failed to benefit Nigerian seafarers, despite regular tripartite arrangement between ship owners, unions and government regulatory agency.

National President of the seafarers’ senior staff union, Engr. Bob Joseph Yousuo, who spoke to newsmen in Lagos weekend, raised the alarm that the NJIC has not benefited seafarers in any way in the last two years.

Statistically, he noted that 60% of Nigerian seafarers’ are suffering in terms of workers’ welfare, wages and salary.

He added that the maritime apex regulatory agency needs to step up efforts to sanction erring ship owners for non-compliance with the arrangements.

Yousuo, who also doubles as Chairman of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) Seafarers’ Section for Africa and member of the ITF Fair practice committee Group alleged that most indigenous ship owners are the ones flouting the NJIC, noting that many of them owe workers up to three months’ salaries without remorse or excuse.

According to him, NIMASA should withdraw the operating licenses of those failing to comply with the NJIC, and compliance with the tripartite arrangement should be a prerequisite for license renewals.

The marine engineer further alleged that seafarers’ plight has become alarming, as some vessels lack basic needs for workers on board.

He pointed an accusing finger at some local ship owners as responsible for the suffering of seafarers working on their ships.

The president, however, commended foreign ship owners trading in the nation’s territorial waters for understanding the rules of engagement for workers, while calling on NIMASA to act.

“The NJIC is something we have put in place, and it is expected to be reviewed every two years. Whatever we agree upon should be enforced.

” If I tell you that 60 percent of Nigerian seafarers have never benefited from the previous NJIC—we have signed it, but seafarers have not benefited in the last two years since we signed it.

Speaking on the solution, he said “The enforcement process is simple: NIMASA and we the unions should work together on welfare and salaries. There is a need for monitoring. Very few companies are complying. Enforcement is a major challenge seafarers are facing, and it is affecting both ratings and senior officers.

“Some vessels have no light or air conditioning. We expect NIMASA to live up to expectations to better the lot of seafarers.”

According to him, the failure of NJIC implementation was one of the major issues raised at the recently conducted NJIC meeting with NIMASA in February.

He added that multinational companies are doing fairly well in progressing the NJIC, while local content companies are flouting the arrangements big time.

Furthermore, he called on the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, to synergize with NMNOWTSSA and NIMASA to correct these anomalies and improve the lives of workers on board ships.