Kenyan Seafarers now speak with one voice over jobs

Kenyan Seafarers now speak with one voice over jobs.

Mombasa-based seafarers have mooted a joint approach to push for mass training and employment opportunities for hundreds of jobless members.

Speaking at the Missions to Seafarers, Mombasa Centre yesterday, the seafarers said they had decided to join hands to push the Government to implement a deal with a foreign shipping line that had agreed to provide Kenyan seafarers jobs on board its vessels.

Led by Thabit Abeid of Registered Seafarers Association, and Daudi Hajji, the chairman of the Seafarers Union of Kenya, they asked Coast legislators to support amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act to allow Kenya National Shipping Line (KNSL) to operate the Mombasa Port's second container terminal.

"We are sure that this move, if well executed, will be for the interest of seafarers as it will create 2,000 jobs on board the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) vessels annually," Thabit said.

Seafarers and job seekers were recently alarmed when local MPs, led by Mvita's Abdulswamad Nassir, and Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, said they would not support the proposed Bill.

They instead called for competitive international bidding, pouring cold water to the Government deal with MSC that could ensure job creation. KNSL is owned by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and MSC at a 53 per cent and 47 per cent ratio.

The leaders said they decided to reconcile and join forces to ensure there was a strong voice on the welfare of seafarers.

Two factions of seafarers have been at loggerheads with each accusing the other of doing little to have programmes beneficial to them.

"In the history of Kenyan seafaring, we have 16 young Kenyans working aboard cruise liners owned by MSC," Hajji said.