Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has stressed the importance of human factors to successful shipping, stating that it is one of the most important elements in achieving competitive edge and safety in the maritime industry.
Peterside made this known recently while addressing participants at the Business Africa meeting at the ongoing 107th session of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland where consideration for the review of Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 would be made.
The NIMASA boss, who noted that the industry should partner with workers to develop a strategy that would contribute to the constant development of human resources in the sector , said that investment in workforce is a sure way to guarantee success of firms and boost profitability.
According to him, employees are the most critical factors that determine the success of a firm. “This is even truer in the maritime industry that is capital intensive and where safety is paramount constant training and development as well as welfare of workforce must be taken seriously“ he said
He further urged African businessmen to pay great attention to welfare of workers in order to be able to compete favourably in the international market adding that the maritime industry in particular could play a greater role in the economic growth of third world countries if the right investment is made in the sector.
Peterside commended ILO for the review of Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and also advised that considerations should be given to peculiarities of the different geopolitical areas of the world in the amendments, adding, however, that after 10 years, the MLC 2006 ought to be reviewed to meet the challenges of emerging trends.
Recall that the MLC is an International Labour Organisation convention established in 2006 as the fourth pillar of international maritime law and embodies all up-to-date standards of existing international maritime labour Conventions and Recommendations.