Minister of works and transport and deputy prime minister John Mutorwa has tabled a new maritime labour law to enhance seafarers’ rights.
The amended Labour and Maritime Convention of 2006 aims to address the working conditions of seafarers on boats and ships.
Mutorwa says the law seeks to create a single, coherent instrument encompassing all up-to-date standards of existing international maritime labour conventions and recommendations.
“Every seafarer has the right to a safe and secure workplace that complies with safety standards and to fair terms of employment,” he says.
The minister says seafarers also have the right to decent working and living conditions on board, as well as to health protection, medical care, welfare measures and other forms of social protection.
He says once this set of laws is put in place it would regulate the industry more efficiently, thereby respecting international standards.
Mutorwa was speaking in parliament on Tuesday.
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