By Correspondent in Lagos
The Continental President, Women in Shipping Africa (WIMAFRICA), Mrs Jean Chiazor Anishere, (SAN), has urged maritime nations to appreciate the significant role seafarers play in the industry, which made them the very heart of international and Global trade.
Mrs Jean Chiazor Anishere, (SAN).
Anishere made the call during zoom discussion in commemorating the Seafarers Day 2021 with the theme,”Fair Future for Seafarers.”
She stressed the need for continued support to Seafarers, especially on pandemic related challenges which drew global attention to other areas were fairness remains crucial.
Anishere said that the importance of Seafarers in daily lives, could not be overemphasized, adding they played critical role for the gradual restoration of normalcy to, international trade and business across the World.
She said that basically,all the useful items for people’s daily lives were primarily transported by sea with the help of Seafarers.
The WIMAFRICA boss said:”The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created challenging working conditions for seafarers,including difficulties with the port access repatriation crew changes and more.
“Unfortunately, there are still many Seafarers that have not been able to leave ships for an extended time beyond their contract.
“Despite these challenges facing the Seafarers, they have gone beyond the call of duties working tirelessly to keep global trade flowing.
“Seafarers also play a significant role in the maritime industry which makes them the heart of International and Global trade.”
She said that 80 per cent of the Global trade occurring by maritime transportation, the work of seafarers had impacted on the Global economy, crossing territorial borders and touching the lives of everyone.
She added that the activities of Seafarers had also touched the lives of other sectors such as agriculture, transportation, commerce, technology, commerce, or national defence and health care etc.
According to her,transportation by sea remains the enabler for a globalised market place, adding that seafarers contributions in the supply chain, could not be ignored.
“In 2020, the world experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, which changed lives as we have hitherto known it to be. Pandemic challenged how we all transacted and how business was conducted.
“The maritime industry was perhaps one of the worst hit by the impact of the pandemic which was creating challenging operational condition in the maritime environment,” She said.
Anishere noted that as the World gradually recovered from the impact of the pandemic, life had not remained the same for many Seafarers, who could only describe the Pandemic as one that has made a bad situation even worse.
She said that some Seafarers had been made to work extended hours, without opportunity for leave, nor being given the benefits of their engagement, “others were left, looking for opportunities to work, better conditions of service.”
Anishere, a former President,Women in Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA-Nigeria), however, expressed optimism for the reality of policies that would positively impact on the industry.
