In August 2018 the MoU was signed and guaranteed recruitment of Kenyan seafarers to work on MSC vessels. The SUK, ITF inspector Betty Makena, Kenya’s ministry of transport and the Kenya Maritime Authority were all involved in the recruitment process.
Ms Makena said: “The maritime industry is a complex one, full of worker exploitation and social dumping. The SUK is very grateful for the government's initiatives supporting Kenyan seafarers through training and creation of employment opportunities. I am also happy that our efforts have yielded fruits for the country’s seafarers, and Kenya itself.”
Sixteen seafarers completed the recruitment process and are scheduled for deployment this month after processing their documentation. More groups will join them in January 2019.
Anna Karume, ITF Africa deputy regional secretary, said: “This is not only a positive step in the ITF work of supporting seafarers locally but also evidence of the warm relations between ITF unions, the ITF’s inspectorate and government agencies.”
