YULETIDE: Yousuo Assures Seafarers’ Of Better Welfare Package In 2021

The National President of Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA), Comrade Bob Yousuo on Friday assured Nigerian seafarers of better welfare package in the incoming year, 2021.

 

Yousuo affirmed that with new innovation from  the International Transport Workers Federation ( ITF ) , MAS  project , indications have emerged that the innovation is cut out to achieve employment of Nigeria Seafarers as enshrined in the Cabotage regime as well as recognition of their COC.

 

He gave the assurance in his season’s greetings message to members of the union.

 

According to the seasoned seafarer, the years ahead will bring forth good things as a single Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)  and joint monitoring team will be put in place for the wellbeing of  Nigerian seafareers .

 

He stressed the need for maximum cooperation of the seafarers’ fraternity in achieving the set goals.

 

 

 

The seafarers’ national leader called on the federal government to prepare adequate protection and compensation to seafarers as the second wave of Covid-19 is gradually rearing its ugly head , urging seafarer’s employers to take the welfare of seafarers very serious by paying them adequately.

 

 

“We say no to slavery wages. The ILO wage scale must be adhere to strictly.”

 

He however said he prayed that the pandemic does not resurge, pointing out that adequate preparation should be put in place to assure seafarers on board vessels of safety and protection.

 

Yousuo who congratulated members of Merchant Navy for the successful commissioning of the new  National Secretariat acquired by the group, added that together, the success was made achievable  and call on others to join the moving train so as to get to the promise Land.

 

He said that the year 2021 shall be a better one for members even as he called for more support from the government to pay more attention to welfare of Seafarers in Nigeria saying that their services were indispensable as almost 90% of the global trade is carried out by seamen.

 

While felicitating with both zonal/ National executives ,members and staff for the grace to witness the yuletide in good health and sound mind, he enjoined them to keep safe from the looming pandemic so that they can be healthy to resume their normal  duties after the break.

 

He said, “We want to thank God for the grace given to us to see another end of the year. It is a rare privilege because not all that entered into the year, saw the end.

 

As for the feat of new secretariat, the National President quipped that the association would strive to achieve more feats during the administration of the current executives.

 

He added that the secretariat of the union was officially closed for the year on Thursday, 24th December, 2020 to resume on 4th January, 2021.