This archive report was first published on 21 July 2019.
Published on July 21, 2019, allegations have emerged that Kenyan and Tanzanian shipowners are underpaying seafarers, with critics pointing to the lack of sector policies as a major contributor to this issue.
According to Betty Makena, an official from the East Africa International Transport Federation (ITF), the organization has received numerous complaints from seamen working for regional shipping companies regarding wages and general welfare.
Ms. Makena stated, "Kenya has a higher number of complaints than Tanzania, but we are working with the relevant authorities to ensure such cases are addressed."
Documents obtained by The EastAfrican reveal that seafarers are paid between $250 and $450, which is below the $800 to $1,000 basic wages under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and the ITF. Furthermore, seamen are not allowed to work for more than seven months without a break, but these guidelines only apply to vessels operating beyond East African territorial waters.
Ms. Makena added, "Last week I handled a case where Tanzanian crew members were stranded after their employer underpaid them."
Meanwhile, Daudi Haji, chairman of the Seafarers Union of Kenya (SUK), urged seamen to register with relevant departments to ensure their terms of reference are binding.
Mr. Haji emphasized, "As we work to set minimum wages to improve the welfare of maritime workers, the issue of unscrupulous recruitment agencies should be addressed in other countries as we have done in Kenya where KMA has gazetted five companies to do the job."
The five companies are Mombasa Ocean Agency, Alpha Logistics, Diverse Shipping Ltd, East Africa Deep Fishing Ltd, and MSC Shipping Management Agency. Any person who contravenes the law is liable to a fine of Ksh100,000 ($1,000) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.
The International Labour Organisation sets the basic wage for seamen at no less than the amount periodically set by the Joint Maritime Commission, which is a bipartite body of shipowners and seafarers. In November last year, the Joint Maritime Commission subcommittee raised the minimum wage of $614 by $27 staggered over three years, starting July 1, 2019.
