The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) is collaborating with the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations to create a new Bill aimed at standardizing the welfare of seafarers. This initiative comes in response to escalating concerns about seafarers leaving their jobs abruptly, often without any formal notification. Joweli Cawaki, the CEO of MSAF, pointed out that this trend of “jump-shipping” has become prevalent, where employees abandon their positions as soon as they dock.
Cawaki noted that current shipping companies have considerable control over their employees’ working conditions and pay. He emphasized the need for a structured approach to enforce and monitor employee welfare by developing the Maritime Labour Bill. He mentioned that the drafting process is ongoing and is expected to advance in the coming year.
The Bill will help both MSAF and the Ministry manage the welfare of seafarers more effectively. There is a disparity in how different companies handle payments to crew members, with some like Interlink and Goundar paying crew only when they are on board, whereas others, such as South Sea Cruise, compensate staff including their days off.
Additionally, Cawaki indicated that investigations regarding the grounding of two Goundar ships last month are nearing completion, which could lead to further safety measures in the industry.
This initiative represents a proactive step towards improving working conditions for seafarers in Fiji, aiming to foster a safer and more accountable maritime environment. By establishing clear regulations and oversight, MSAF hopes to create a more stable workforce and reduce the incidence of employees leaving their positions unexpectedly.
In summary, the MSAF’s efforts to standardize seafarer welfare are a significant move towards enhancing the maritime industry’s workplace conditions, reflecting a commitment to safety and employee rights.
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