COVID-19 Pandemic, Russian Ukraine War brought down maritime labour – IMEC

The Head of training of the International Maritime Employer’s Council (IMEC) Mr. Rob Gale has blamed the downward trend in Maritime Labor to Covid 19 and the present Russian Ukraine war which he described as disruptive and contributed to a downward trend in maritime labour.

He explained that IMEC’s visit to Ghana and specifically to the Regional Maritime University is significant and essential to help explore more and also identify how the country operates, to help enhance and invest in Maritime business in Ghana.

He made the submission during a visit by IMEC officials to the Regional Maritime University at Nungua in Accra on Monday.

According to him, the visit will generate a report to be circulated to all partners and memberships across the World to give them an understanding of whether-or-not IMEC is interested in investing in Ghana especially the Regional Maritime University.

“We represent over 260 Maritime employers located all over the World and coordinate the views of our members and also negotiate fair and sustainable seafarers’ wages and conditions of employment on their behalf” he further expounded.

He was of the view that, though a leading maritime employers’ organization committed to promoting fair and sustainable maritime labour practices through their social partnerships, they also represent employers from around the world negotiating wages and conditions for seafarers as well as invest in the future of their workforce.

On the benefits of their members, Mr. Gale further clarified that IMEC exists for the benefit of its members, who enjoy exclusive privileges including the benefits of International Bargaining Forum (IBF) agreements, access to funds to support the welfare and employment of seafarers and also provide advisory and guidance support from their dedicated Secretariat.

Dr. Jethro W. Brooks Jnr.  the AG. Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University expressed profound gratitude to the visiting IMEC officials and also took time to inform the group on the   historical journey of university which he said started as an academy, college and later a fully-fledged university.

“I am impressed with the work you do especially in training, security and making sure fair wages are given to sea fearers” Dr. Brooks opined adding that he has keenly followed IMEC’s activities in Asia, Europe and other parts of the World.

The University is however happy to see team IMEC giving attention and showing more interest in Africa at a time when shipping lines are focusing a lot on maritime education.

He further took the opportunity to inform the group on the 65 years anniversary celebration of the school adding that it is a double celebration that also takes into cognizance its 40 years of regionalization involving Ghana, Gambia, Liberia. Cameroon and Sierra Leone adding that working with RMU means working with the whole of the Sub Region and Africa at Large.

The group was taken round the various Departments and offices on the school premises as a way of familiarization to help IMEC appreciate the environment from which the university operates.