The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched the reviewed minimum wage document for seafarers, developed in line with the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention MLC 2006.
The document, which is for 2023-2025, is a product of a Collective Bargaining Agreement that involved employers of labour in the maritime sector, the leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), NIMASA and other stakeholders in the industry.
Speaking at the event, NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stressed the importance of the revised document in enhancing the working conditions of seafarers.
“Today, we gather to celebrate a significant achievement in our collective efforts to enhance the seafaring industry. I am honoured to present the reviewed minimum standard for the seafaring industry; a landmark document that establishes the benchmark for fair and safe working conditions, decent living wages, and social protection for our seafarers,” he said.
Mobereola also emphasised the need for collaboration and swift action in finalising the CBA among shipowners, trawler operators and others on the new minimum standards for seafarers to prevent payment backlogs and ensure timely compensation for employees.
Chairman of the National Seafarers Welfare Board, Alhaji Tijani Ramalan, who launched the document, emphasized the need to adhere to the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, stating that it will not only foster industrial harmony but also guarantee better working conditions for Nigerian Seafarers.