'Seafarers' bill of rights' needs to be implemented - Mutorwa
During a presentation of the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention before parliament last week, deputy prime minister and works and transport minister John Mutorwa described the convention as the "seafarers' bill of rights", as it provides international standards for the fair treatment of seafarers.
It was adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in February 2006 and has been in force since 2013 in countries that have ratified it, although it was last amended in 2016.
"As a nation that is significantly dependent on maritime trade, Cabinet tasked the ministry of works and transport in 2019 to expedite the ratification process," Mutorwa explained.
"The adoption and ratification of this convention thus positions Namibia as a country that recognises the critical role played by seafarers and the need to ensure they enjoy decent working conditions, just like any other national employee. It also ensures that ship owners who enforce the law against ship owners with substandard vessels, which jeopardise the safety of workers and the maritime environment, are protected."
The minister said by ratifying the convention, Namibia demonstrates its commitment to the safety, well-being and dignity of the men and women working at sea.
Better conditions at sea
He also outlined government's plan to strengthen the legal maritime framework, promote fair competition and attract investment to the sector.
Among other things, ratification of the convention will prohibit substandard vessels from visiting Namibia's ports. It further facilitates the inspection, certification and oversight of ships by Namibian authorities, Mutorwa added. The convention also establishes restrictions on the minimum age for seafarers, employment agreements, working hours, accommodation, annual leave, return at the end of a contract, onboard medical care, labour practices, housing, food, health and safety.
"This convention, therefore, brings together international minimum standards in terms of decent work for approximately 1.5 million seafarers worldwide, who are essential for international trade and increasingly important for tourism and entertainment activities," the minister noted.
International standards
The deputy prime minister also presented the revised African Maritime Transport Charter to parliament last week. Namibia signed the original charter in July 1999 but has never ratified it, he said. The charter was revised in 2010 and re-signed by Namibia in March 2013.
Mutorwa said the charter aligns with Namibia’s promotion of intra-Africa trade, port reforms, the promotion of shipbuilding and repair facilities, as well as training and capacity building within the maritime sector. Namibia's participation in the Benguela Current Commission and the Greater Benguela Marine Ecosystem aligns with the charter, which also supports the priority maritime transport holds in Namibia's transport policy. The establishment of the Blue Economy Committee is also in line with the charter, he said.
“Failure to ratify the revised charter will derail the region’s and continent’s view of Namibia as an emerging regional maritime logistics hub,” Mutorwa warned.
It was adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in February 2006 and has been in force since 2013 in countries that have ratified it, although it was last amended in 2016.
"As a nation that is significantly dependent on maritime trade, Cabinet tasked the ministry of works and transport in 2019 to expedite the ratification process," Mutorwa explained.
"The adoption and ratification of this convention thus positions Namibia as a country that recognises the critical role played by seafarers and the need to ensure they enjoy decent working conditions, just like any other national employee. It also ensures that ship owners who enforce the law against ship owners with substandard vessels, which jeopardise the safety of workers and the maritime environment, are protected."
The minister said by ratifying the convention, Namibia demonstrates its commitment to the safety, well-being and dignity of the men and women working at sea.
Better conditions at sea
He also outlined government's plan to strengthen the legal maritime framework, promote fair competition and attract investment to the sector.
Among other things, ratification of the convention will prohibit substandard vessels from visiting Namibia's ports. It further facilitates the inspection, certification and oversight of ships by Namibian authorities, Mutorwa added. The convention also establishes restrictions on the minimum age for seafarers, employment agreements, working hours, accommodation, annual leave, return at the end of a contract, onboard medical care, labour practices, housing, food, health and safety.
"This convention, therefore, brings together international minimum standards in terms of decent work for approximately 1.5 million seafarers worldwide, who are essential for international trade and increasingly important for tourism and entertainment activities," the minister noted.
International standards
The deputy prime minister also presented the revised African Maritime Transport Charter to parliament last week. Namibia signed the original charter in July 1999 but has never ratified it, he said. The charter was revised in 2010 and re-signed by Namibia in March 2013.
Mutorwa said the charter aligns with Namibia’s promotion of intra-Africa trade, port reforms, the promotion of shipbuilding and repair facilities, as well as training and capacity building within the maritime sector. Namibia's participation in the Benguela Current Commission and the Greater Benguela Marine Ecosystem aligns with the charter, which also supports the priority maritime transport holds in Namibia's transport policy. The establishment of the Blue Economy Committee is also in line with the charter, he said.
“Failure to ratify the revised charter will derail the region’s and continent’s view of Namibia as an emerging regional maritime logistics hub,” Mutorwa warned.
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