Seminar to better Working Conditions of workers of the Maritime Sector.

The Minister of labour and Social Security, presided over the seminar which took place at Akwa Palace, Douala.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Robert Nkili, has launched the rectification of the Maritime Convention. Speaking in his opening remarks; Robert Nkili stated some importance of the maritime convention, which he said, is to promote the rights of seafarers and ship owners. “Ensuring decent working conditions is important in the Maritime sector. It is a necessary part of human dignity and human rights and security of the person”.
The minister who was speaking at the seminar which also had participants from the CEMAC Region said the sea is very important in Cameroon because most of the riches in the country come through the sea. Because of this it is important he said to better the working conditions of those who handle this sector “they must be protected and given decent conditions”, Nkili said.
Also speaking was the Director of the International Labour Standard Department, of the ILO in Geneva, Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, who said the convention was adopted in 2006 by the International Labour Organisation, ILO and they saw that the Maritime provides an aspiring example of why international social dialogue in a well developed and inclusive process works. And that it would lead to border social cohesion among workers and also to ensure decent working conditions and fair competition. She stressed the necessity and importance for all African countries to understand the implication of the convention. Adding that the opportunity to be a seafarer from Africa also gives them rights to enjoy the same rights as others from other Countries. She said they are working with Cameroon because Cameroon has the advantage of two languages. “If we can work with Cameroon we also build working capacity of other countries of the CEMAC Region”.
Talking about the advantages of this convention, Doumbia-Henry said it strengthens enforcement for rights of the seafarers and ship owners, every ship she said must have on board a Maritime Labour Certificate which is show prove of the right of the ship to circulate in the waters
She also said that the workers of the maritime sector have a bill of rights and can complain where rights are not observed. This right she said also gives them immunity not to be maltreated for complaining. The seminar will end on April 2.


EFFA TAMBENKONGHO