KwaZulu-Natal - The Department of Labour is set to ratify an international convention that would improve the lives of seafarers by setting strict standards for employment conditions, accommodation, and health facilities on board ships.
The Maritime Labour Convention is now before Parliament, and bodes well for the future of the maritime industry, says the Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant.
In August, the convention was ratified by 30 states, representing 60 percent of global shipping. It outlines the minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship: they must be at least 16 years old, should be medically fit, and trained for their duties and in safety on board.
In terms of employment conditions, the the convention states that wages should be paid at least every month, maximum working hours should not exceed 14 hours a day, returning to their country of residence should be free for all on board, and if a ship is lost, all seafarers have the right to unemployment payments.
Other requirements outlined include accommodation that “promotes the seafarers’ health”, food quality and quantity, water that is strictly monitored, and all seafarers having access to medical care while on board.
The announcement that the department was ready to ratify the convention was made on Friday at the SA Maritime Industry Careers Expo at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The expo was hosted by Department of Labour, the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa), and the KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
“Up to 98 percent of trade between South Africa and its partner countries is seaborne, yet maritime career opportunities remain largely untapped due to lack of awareness among South Africans,” said Samsa chief executive, Commander Tsietsi Mokhele.
Nomusa Dube, MEC for the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, said KwaZulu-Natal had not been able to use the maritime industry to its advantage in terms of job creation, “even though this is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world,” she said. - Daily News