Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Director General Robert Njue, has emphasized the need for Kenyan seafarers to be trained to enhance their competitiveness in the global labour market.
Speaking during a sensitization workshop for seafarers in Mombasa Mr Njue also confirmed that KMA had already signed a service contract with the Higher Educations Loans Board (HELB) to establish a Maritime Education and Training (MET) Financial Support Scheme to support capacity building in the Maritime and Blue Economy sector.
The MOU will provide financial assistance to enable qualified beneficiaries access Maritime Education and Training in line with the Merchant Shipping Act, 2009.
“KMA recognizes seafarers as key workers and training them to enhance their competitiveness in the global market is one of our priority at the agency,” he said.
The KMA-HELB service contract was signed on 5th February, 2021, at the KMA Headquarters in Mombasa.
On Monday this week, KMA conducted a sensitization workshop for seafarers in Mombasa to update them on Kenya’s progress in the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, MLC, 2006 since its ratification in 2014.
According to Mr Njue, the forum was also aimed to ensure free access to information for seafarers in accordance with Section 35 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and constituted in accordance with the spirit of tripartism promoted by the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.
Attendees included seafarers, Government agencies involved in implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, Recruitment and Placement Agents for seafarers and the seafarers and faith based organizations providing port welfare services for seafarers including the Apostolate of the Seas and the Mission to Seafarers.
“I want to encourage collaboration between seafarers and the government in order to develop the Blue Economy. I also want to emphasize on the importance of discipline among seafarers to ensure they continue to be engagement onboard ships, as a good seafarer will be an ambassador for Kenya and may hold the key for the employment of more Kenyans,” he added.
“Embrace self-promotion and continuous development and do not to shy away from training,” the DG said.
He also advised seafarers to embrace a saving culture to ensure that they have dependable investments for the periods they are away from sea, reiterating that KMA will continue to provide assistance to them in line with its mandate and existing maritime regulations.
During the workshop seafarers were also briefed on the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention in Kenya, the milestones the Authority has made to ensure full and complete compliance with the national laws.
KMA also assured the seafarers that it had enhanced service delivery to them by enabling online access to seafarers’ application forms, relevant legislation and lists of service providers.
“I want you to interact regularly with the KMA website for information on licensed Recruitment and Placement Agencies, licensed medical service providers, accredited maritime training institutions in the country and updated seafarers ‘certification. There is also need for you to support each other and especially the women and youth interested in joining seafaring,” Me Njue said.
