Mauritanian seafarers' unions met with the Director General of the Mauritanian Maritime Agency, Sheikh Ahmadou Ould Sidi, on Sunday evening in Nouadhibou. The unions presented a set of professional and social demands, including a review of the collective agreement for seafarers, which has been stalled for years, and an update to their salary scale. The meeting took place at the agency's regional headquarters in the economic capital.
The unions' demands include accelerating the review of the collective agreement, revising the annex on seafarers' salaries, improving social security and health insurance, launching programs for seafarers' training and capacity building, and establishing a solidarity fund for seafarers. These demands aim to address the accumulated concerns of seafarers in Mauritania. The meeting was attended by union representatives and agency officials.
In response, the Director General of the Maritime Agency emphasized the importance of maritime safety for seafarers and vessels. He stated that the agency is committed to enforcing safety standards on ships and has adopted a project to determine implementation procedures. The project requires employers to provide safety equipment on all ships and boats and to train seafarers on their use.
The meeting comes after a recent statement from the unions addressed to the new Minister of Fishing, Isata Lam, calling for a review of the collective agreement and addressing wage disparities between Mauritanian and foreign seafarers. The unions also demanded the payment of seafarers' dues during biological rest periods. The unions are waiting for concrete actions to be taken.
The fishing sector is a significant source of hard currency and employment opportunities in Mauritania, with most activities concentrated in Nouadhibou. The sector plays a vital role in the country's economy. The unions' demands reflect the concerns of seafarers in the sector.
The Director General's emphasis on maritime safety aligns with international standards and best practices. The agency's project aims to enhance safety conditions for seafarers and vessels. The implementation of safety measures is expected to improve working conditions for seafarers.
The outcome of the meeting and the implementation of the unions' demands remain to be seen. The unions are hopeful that their concerns will be addressed, and their demands will be translated into concrete actions. The Mauritanian government and the Maritime Agency have yet to respond to the unions' demands.
Key points
- Review of collective agreement for seafarers
- Improving social security and health insurance for seafarers
- Enhancing maritime safety standards
