9 Years After Ratification; Stakeholders Decry Poor Regulation Of MLC 2006 By NIMASA

By Roland Ekama

 

Industry stakeholders have expressed worries over lack of proper enforcement, implementation and regulations by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) nine years after Nigeria ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 since 2013.

They lamented that manning agents , ship owners are uncontrollable in term of employment and working condition of seafarers aboard ships,  calling on government to review and revise the convention.

A Director , Centre for Multi-Modal Transport Studies , University of Lagos (UNILAG), Iyiola Oni decried failure of  enforcement and regulations of Maritime Labour Conference (MLC) 2006 in Nigeria since its 2013 ratification.

In a paper presentation , the varsity Don also lamented that the workers right Convention has failed to adequately address many of the most pressing issues in the nation’s maritime space.

Oni maintained that the MLC 2006, is yet to bring about the anticipated changes due to implementation difficulties by different ratifying flag states.

According to him, regulatory agencies of the Convention in Nigeria failed to regulate manning agents  and the recruitment of seafarers aboard ships effectively adding that rest hours, feeding and quality of recreation facilities are not properly provided by ship owners and their agents.

He further stressed the need for the government to review and revise the MLC 2006, pointing out that Article iv of the Convention provides right to  secure and safe working environment, fair terms of employment, decent working and living conditions on board ships.

Oni reiterated that health protection, medical care , welfare measures and other social protection are major components that are itemised in MLC 2006.

The lecture called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA to collaborate with other relevant authorities to effectively enforce and regulate manning activities in the country maintaining that adequate welfare of seafarers would move global trade without barrier.

“Seafarers are the drivers of the transformation to a low carbon maritime industry. To attain a low carbon maritime industry,it is vital that working condition, health and safety of seafarers are guaranteed.

“Stronger standards are required for safe operational crew and component crews resilience which reduced risk to crew ,vessels and the environment.

“The transition maritime task force set up in 2022 made up of the UN’s shipping body , IMO and International Labour Organization targets ensuring shipping industry pursue a fair and equitable green transition in shipping”,he added.

Seafarers’ unions have also called on the apex  regulatory agency to up the ante in furtherance to better the lots of seafarers.

MLC 2006 entered into force in August 2013 with the aim of ensuring better working and living condition of seafarers.

Currently, 96 countries of the world have ratified the provisions of the conference covering 90% of the world’s shipping fleet.

Nigeria is the 37th ILO member state and 5th state from Africa region to have ratified the provisions of the conference in 2013.