The government and the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) have undertaken various initiatives that have enabled Kenyans to access employment and sea service onboard ships, KMA Director General Robert Njue has said. – By Ramadhan Kambi.
Addressing seafarers during a training and sensitization workshop in Mombasa, Mr Njue said the government through the State Department of Shipping and Maritime has continued to engage with ship-owning countries to recognize Kenyan certificates under Regulation I/10 of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention, 2010; recently the country entered into MoUs with the Republic of Jamaica (2020) and Panama (2017).
“These initiatives have enabled Kenyan seafarers to work onboard ships owned by flags who have signed Recognition Agreements under Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention, 2010 as amended,” he said.
The DG also noted that about 619 Kenyan seafarers had been employed aboard ships by March 2020, through the licensed Recruitment and Placement Agents before the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
“I want to confirm our agency’s commitment to continue working with the government to ensure that Kenyans join the global labour market,” he said.
On the issues of wage standard for Kenyan Seafarers that has been a thorn issue, Mr Njue said the issue is currently being addressed between the government and KMA.
“We know of the concerns of Kenyan seafarers being paid less than other nationalities onboard ships for equal work done and are developing a Wage Standard for Kenyan Seafarers. As the agency, we are working closely with the State Department for Shipping and Maritime to fast track the establishment of a Wage Council to draft the Wage Standard for Kenyan Seafarers,” he said.
A public participation on a Wage Standard for seafarers was held on 12th September, 2019.
“I want to assure you that the Authority will continue working with the State Department for Shipping and Maritime and the State Department for Labour to ensure that the Wage Standard is within the minimum wage scale recommended by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Joint Maritime Committee on the minimum Wage for Kenyan seafarers,” he said.
Mr Njue said once a wage order is established, Kenyan seafarers will enjoy equitable pay for equal work onboard ships resolving the current disparity in wages of Kenyan seafarers and seafarers from other countries who have an established Wage Standard.
During the training, the participants were also taken through the procedures of crew change in the Country.
Other speakers in the event were drawn from organizations that provide vital services to seafarers which included the Bandari Maritime Academy, Mission to Seafarers, the Apostolate of the Seas, National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Department of Occupation Safety and Health (DOSH).
