Nigeria is intensifying its advocacy for the formal designation of seafarers as key workers, emphasizing the need for legal protection and a harmonized framework that supports safe working conditions.
This move is aimed at ensuring fair treatment and dignity for seafarers and other maritime professionals.
At the 353rd session of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) governing body, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stressed the critical role seafarers play in global trade and supply chain maintenance.
He noted that despite their contributions, seafarers often face labor rights challenges, including unfair employment conditions and restricted mobility .
Nigeria is seeking a formal designation that would guarantee:
Legal protection: for seafarers, port workers, pilots, and marine surveyors under ILO and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions.
Priority access: to medical care, vaccines, and mobility rights during public health crises and emergencies.
Fair treatment: in labor contracts, ensuring compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006).
The country is also pushing for a harmonized framework between the ILO, IMO, and World Health Organisation (WHO) to support safe working conditions, prevent labor exploitation, and reinforce international labor standards.
As the largest supplier of seafarers and port workers in Africa, Nigeria is committed to sustaining global trade and ensuring supply chain resilience.
The country intends to contest for a seat in the IMO Council’s Category C to advocate for stronger global regulations that protect maritime labor rights .
