Merchant Navy Union Seeks FG Domestication Of Fishing Convention No. 188

By Roland Ekama

The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has made a passionate appeal for the federal government to prioritize the domestication of international convention for fishing sector (Convention 188).

Convention No. 188 sets out binding requirements to address the main issues concerning work on board fishing vessels, including occupational safety and health and medical care at sea and ashore, rest periods, written work agreements, and social security protection at the same level as other workers.

President of the Trade Union Congress TUC affiliate group,Comrade Bob Joseph Yousuo who stated this in Lagos in a chat with our correspondent, reaffirmed the importance of the convention,saying that it will better the lots of Nigerian seafarers’.

Yousuo called on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy ,Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola focus on the fishing sub sector of the maritime industry as it would create wealth for the country,noting that it will also create job opportunities for seafarers alongside better welfare packages for workers.

He pointed out that the fishing sub sector would generate the needed revenue and foreign exchange adding that the international convention for fishing sector (Convention 188) domestication is long overdue.

The international convention for fishing sector (Convention 188), the President said , that the union had been on the issue seeking its ratification in Nigeria for improved welfare package of the workers in the sector.

He regretted that the apex maritime regulatory agency failed to prioritise its domestication despite efforts, financial commitment of the union.

Yousuo reiterated that:”The convention 118 for the fishing sector is another issue, we have been battling it now for two years for them to ratify it.

“If it is ratified, it is the working conditions of fishing sector just like the MLC. It encapsulates gender equality and so on.

“If it is ratified in Nigeria, we can work according to the convention.”he added .

The Work in Fishing Convention sets the basic standards of decent work in the fishing industry. The International Labour Convention in 2017 said it was commitment to work to make this Convention one that provides effective protection for all of the people who work in this sector.

Commercial fishing provides one of the most important sources of food, in particular animal protein, and is essential to food security. Over 38 million people work in capture fisheries, which is considered to be one of the world’s most hazardous occupations. Hundreds of millions of dependents and others depend on the sector for their livelihoods.