These days the mood in the merchant shipping industry is on the decline as news filters from across the globe that more and more Sri Lankan seafarers have abandoned their vessels seeking greener pastures in foreign capitals.
According to the latest reports, over 200 Sri Lankan seafarers are known to have left their vessels mainly in ports covering Europe and across the Atlantic in the US and Canada.
An average Sri Lankan seafarer earns around Rs. 450,000 per month inclusive of all perks such as food while sailing.
The latest development has also caused some concern in the shipping fraternity who fear that if the trend is allowed to continue unchecked the local seafarer sector is heading for the doldrums as foreign principals would tend to ignore Sri Lankans and look elsewhere such as Bangladesh and The Philippines that has much to offer, CEO of Manaco Marine Capt. Nalin Peiris said.
“It is definitely a worrisome factor, something we have never experienced before and the situation is worsening each day.
There is very little that can be done to stop a seafarer from jumping the ship but the only option available is to draft new maritime laws that would criminalise the actions of such deserters.
Baffling
On one hand, it is baffling to try understanding the mindset of the seafarers opting to leave their employers and find menial jobs in foreign capitals while even leaving their families at home when their monthly income is well above an average worker.
A seafarer is entitled to at least two months off-shore leave per year, something that is denied to most workers in other categories”, Peiris said.
He said that more and more youngsters were registering at marine schools with the ultimate objective of obtaining a Seaman’s Discharge Certificate to be employed as a seafarer.
“Once this is achieved their next plan is to desert the ship at a port mainly in Europe, the US and Canada in search of greener pastures and they work along with handlers that demand a fee for their services”, Peiris said.
“What is even more surprising is that the bulk of the deserters are in the middle-ages group with most them married and with families in Sri Lanka.
Foreign maritime organisations such as the International Transport Workers’ Federation in the UK and elsewhere have listed Sri Lankan seafarers in category one owing to their vast general knowledge in the sector and their commitment to their duties.
But sadly, though this international mindset is most likely to change unless the relevant authorities come up with some solution to stop the exodus”, President on the National Union of Seafarers Sri Lanka (NUSS) Palitha Atukorale said.
He said the Minister of Ports and Shipping Nimal Siripala de Silva has repeatedly encouraged the sector to do more for the country and towards this end he has addressed the issue with all the stakeholders including trade unionists at various levels.
Atukorale’s fears were endorsed by a leading shipping manning agent who fears the worst for the industry’s future owing to the ongoing exodus.
There is very little we can do on our side and he called on the relevant authority such as the office of the Merchant Shipping to get involved at the very earliest.
The Merchant Shipping authority should be able to enact some strict regulations that would deter further deserters such as re-visiting the Sri Lanka Crew Agreement Clause 3 which allows the authorities to confiscate properties and other investments of seafarers who violate their agreements with the employer.
“But on the other hand, this is bound to face stiff opposition from trade unionists and others who would claim in chorus that the rights of a Seafarer has been violated under the country’s Constitution”, CEO Capt. Manaco Marine Nalin Peiris said.
At present there are some 31 licensed seafarers recruitment companies operating the in the country.
“According to the latest statistics there are an estimated 15,000 active Sri Lankan seafarers at present and we need to increase these numbers in double digits all the time.
Complications
However, the saddening part is that when there are deserters, foreign principals would not be interested in Sri Lanka and instead look elsewhere where the complications and risks would be less.
This should never be the case and all the stakeholders in the industry, both the state and others should unite to find a solution to their problem, Capt. Peiris said.
At present the annual foreign exchange earnings from Sri Lankan seafarers is an estimated US$ 320 million and the projected future target for the industry should be around US$ 1 billion per annum, he said.
His views were also endorsed by, Assistant General Manager of Ceyline Shipping Ltd Capt. Harsha Perera.
Ranjan Perera of the ITF said that London was also concerned with the rising number of Sri Lanka seafarers leaving their vessels and he alerted Colombo on the threat faced on the future recruitment of Sri Lankan seafarers.
A senior official of the Director General Merchant Shipping office said that there should be a collective effort by all stakeholders in the industry, both the State and other actors to find out the reason behind the exodus of Sri Lankan seafarers.
“There could be more than one reason for one to dump a high paying such as a seafarer.
So these things will have to be discussed at the highest levels to address the issue”, the official said on condition of anonymity.
Overseas
The Director General of Merchant Shipping Ajith Wijeysekera could not be reached since he is overseas on official duties.
At present, there are some 31 licensed seafarers recruitment companies operating the in the country.
“According to the latest statistics there are an estimated 15,000 active Sri Lankan seafarers at present and we need to increase these numbers in double digits all the time.
However, the sad part is that when there are deserters foreign principals would not be interested in Sri Lanka and instead look elsewhere where the complications and risks would be less.
This should never be the case and all the stakeholders in the industry, both the state and others should unite to find a solution to their problem, Capt. Peiris said.