Business
ITF Launches New Taskforce On African Maritime
The International Trans
port Workers’ Federation (ITF), an affiliate trade union located in Mombasa, Kenya last week launched a new taskforce to protect the rights of African workers in the offshore sector to fight for more jobs for African nationals in the indigenous hydrocarbon industry.
A document made available to The Tide in Lagos last Monday,disclosed that as part of its aims, the new ITF African Regional Offshore Oil and Gas Task Force Group (AROTFG) will campaign to secure national cabotage and continental shelf jurisdiction in the offshore oil and gas sector.
It will also check any abuses by companies of African workers’ rights, particularly where they contravene the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC), and the seafarers’ bill of rights.
The MLC, which came into force on August 20, is the ‘fourth pillar’ of global maritime regulation, alongside existing international conventions on safety at sea, marine pollution, seafarer training and certification.
It is aimed to promote decent living and working conditions in the shipping industry, and to prevent exploitation and unfair competition, as well as uphold the principles of freedom of association and the rights to fair terms of employment.
Speaking at the meeting, the ITF Africa Regional Secretary, Joe Katende said: “This is an historic event. The AROTFG, backed by the ITF and its global Offshore Task Force Group (OFTG), will send a signal to governments and the hydrocarbon industry that African workers are sick and tired of hearing excuses from the industry.
“It is time the industry backed African workers in developing their skills and finding job opportunities on their own continental shelf.”
In his speech, the chairman, ITF Offshore Task Force Group Norrie McVicar applauded the developments in Africa, and called upon the Nigerian Government to show leadership in the region by being the first to review its own cabotage regulations, particularly, where it is known that there is a clear abuse of the ‘waivers system’ that is undermining job and training opportunities for Nigerian seafarers.
McVicar thanked the Kenyan Maritime Authority in Mombasa for its support and involvement in the ceremony.
Trade Unions representatives from Nigeria, in attendance include the National President, Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Engineer Matthew Alalade and the Deputy President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Douglas Eromobor.