MTS advocates increased welfare for seafarers
Chief Adebayo Sarumi, Chairman, Mission to Seafarers (MTS), on Thursday called for increased welfare for Seafarers, urging governments to ensure that interventions get to them.
Sarumi made the call in a statement on Thursday to commemorate the Seafarers Day which is marked every June 25.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that every June 25, International Maritime Organisations celebrate Seafarers Day and the theme for 2021 is “Seafarers: At the Core of Shipping Future”.
He hoped that this intervention would trickle down and positively impact the men and women who are the fulcrum for global development.
“On behalf of the board and entire management team of Mission to Seafarers, Lagos, I join multitude across the globe in celebrating this year’s Seafarers day.
“We indeed have much to celebrate. Ordinarily, any occasion to mark the sacrifice of our gallant men and women that ordinarily put their lives on the line for the greater good, is a noble gesture.
“A year ago however, the world was thrown into confusion with the advent of a sudden and rapidly consuming pandemic. Numerous lives were affected, including numerous seafarers and their families.
“Those of us fortune enough to tell its tale must appreciate an occasion to relay experiences and reminiscence on account for all the departed, even as we embrace the gift of life.
“As the world emerges from the ember of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will, however, be remiss to not have learnt from its wake, as it merely notched up the increasing vulnerability of seafarers.
“Exposure to the elements and operational travails were in this period compounded with often unfavorable political policy.
“Seafarers already grappling with these pressures were subjected to unduly delayed shore leave, isolations and in some cases, complete abandonment,” he said
Nevertheless, Sarumi said that it was not all gloom as they had witnessed some positive responses from shipowners, government and regulatory establishments.
