COVID19: Merchant Navy Union Makes Case For Officers, Wants Employers To Protect Members

Despite the uncertainties of crew change across the world, the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNO/WTSSA) has advocated for employers of seafarers to ensure proper protection of personnel on board their vessels in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The union also tasked manning agents , shipping, fishing and offshore companies to put up all necessary measures that will guarantee the safety and mental well being of onboard crews as they continue to work for the survival of the nation’s economy.

National President of the seafaring union, Comrade Bob Yousuo while responding against the backdrop of President Muhammadu Buhari additional two weeks stay at home directives, noted that seafarers have been denied the opportunity of being with their family and love ones, during the lockdown where crew change is a big issue , which has made them to remain onboard beyond the normal period.

According to a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday in Lagos, the Union’s boss reiterated that crews should be appreciated in any capacity the management could, adding that motivation is a key word for efficiency and productivity.

He stressed that words of encouragement from employers to the officers can go a long way to achieving the desired goals while at work or at sea.

While sympathising with the crews onboard who have over stayed due to no crew change, Yousou urged seafarers to consider the present condition as part of their sacrifice for the global covid 19 pandemic, even as he appealed to officers onboard to adhere strictly to all the necessary preventive measures as directed by world health organization (WHO) and our health professionals in other to avoid being infected with the virus.

The statement reads: “On Monday, 13/04/2020 president Mohammed Buhari during his briefing extended the stay at home order by 14days. Besides, almost all the Governors in Nigeria has followed suit while in some states confew is the order of the day. These actions make movement impossible & pose a challenge to human existence/normal activities .

“In the light of the above, I would like to call on the attention of the seafarers employers on the following :

“That the management of all seafarers employers should ensure proper care and protection of our Officers who as a result of this Covid 19 pandemic has been denied the opportunity of being with their family and love ones, most especially at the trying time where crew change is a big issue which has made them to remain onboard beyond the normal period. It behooves on them to ensure that there are means of onboard crews to communicate with their families and friends.

“I appeal to the management of shipping companies to put up all necessary measures that will guarantee the safety and mental well being of onboard crews as they continue to work for the survival of their company as well as the general economy.

“The necessary rest hours should be observed to avoid stress and fatigue.

Stress & fatigue as we all know can endangered the life of officers onboard, facilities/properties as well as the vessel.

“The crews should be appreciated in any capacity the management could . Motivation is a key word for efficiency & productivity. A word of encouragement can go a long way to achieving the desired goals.

“It’s my candid advice to all crews (Officers) onboard to adhere strictly to all the necessary preventive measures as directed by world health organization (WHO) and our health professionals in other to avoid being infected with the virus.

“I want then to practice proper hygiene while onboard. I want them to stay healthy and also be alive as all hands are on desk to beat this deadly disease,”it stated.

 

By Roland Ekama