By Funmi Komolafe

NIGERIA has become the 37th member state to ratifiy the Maritime Labour Convention  at the just concluded 102  conference of the International Labour Organisation held in Geneva, Switzerland. Labour  and Productivity minister, Chief Emeka Wogu presented  the  instrument of ratification  to the director-general of the ILO, Mr. Guy Rider in  Geneva.

Wogu told the ILO director-general that  “ the discovery of oil in many countries in the West African sub region has increased maritime activities which has made the ratification of the MLC 2006 more compelling”.

The minister said, “Nigeria has decided to join other countries that has ratified this very important convention known as the Seafarers Bill of Rights in order to safeguard the fundamental rights of the seafarers and ship owners.”.

Maritime industry

He emphasized, “Today marks the beginning of a journey that will take Nigeria to a higher level in the maritime industry”.  The minister further explained,  “ It is in realization of this new trend of economic activities that will create both positive and negative results of the sector such as employment generation, increase in revenue generation, piracy, oil bunkering and insecurity that has informed the need for a well regulated maritime sector”.

The minister said government hopes that   with the  ratification of this instrument,  many young Nigerians would be attracted to seafaring career for gainful employment.

He also  listed other benefits which the Nigerian government expects  with the ratification  as. ,  “increased revenue generation, capacity building  and tremendous improvement in ships registration including compliance with international requirement and standards of the ILO and the International Maritime Organisation”.

For those already engaged as seafearers, the minister said the ratification  of the instrument would translate to “ improved networking and seafearers friendly ports activities  with concomitant increase in trading and shipping among others”.

Nigeria is the fifth State in the African region  to ratifiy this instrument.  The Republic of Benin,  Liberia , Morocco and Togo had earlier ratified the Maritime  Labour Convention, 2006.

ILO director-general, Mr. Guy Rider who  received the instrument  said, “ I welcome Nigeria, a major port Sate in Africa, among the States parties to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. I am particularly pleased to see one more African country joining the global effort for promoting decent working and living conditions of seafarers and ensuring conditions of fair competition for ship owners”.

Mr. Guy Rider  added, “ Today’s ratification of the MLC, 2006 adds itself to the ratification of another important maritime instrument, Convention No. 185 on Seafarers’ Identity Documents and underscores Nigeria’s strong commitment to the advancement of the well-being for its seafarers and the long-term interests of its shipping and port sector.”.

The ILO director-general   expects that “ active steps and well-targeted measures would now be taken to effectively implement the Convention in law and practice, as the entry into force of the Convention is only two months away.”

Labour minister,  Emeka Wogu said the ratification of the instrument is a result of the efforts of the  tripartite social partners; government, workers and private employers  with guidance of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)  and the  assistance of the International Labour Organisation.