Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

Declaration of Fundamental Rights at Work (1998) enshrines the right of workers to organise and bargain effectively, as well as freedom from discrimination and other basic employment rights.

In addition to the fundamental labour conventions the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work adopted in 1998 is an commitment by governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations to uphold basic human values – values that are vital to our social and economic lives; to respect and promote principles and rights in four categories, whether or not they have ratified the relevant Conventions.

These categories are:

• freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
• The elimination of forced or compulsory labour
• The abolition of child labour and
• The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

The Declaration makes it clear that these rights are universal, and that they apply to all people in all Nations – regardless of the level of economic development. It particularly mentions groups with special needs, including the unemployed and migrant workers. It recognizes that economic growth alone is not enough to ensure equity, social progress and to eradicate poverty.

Instances where seafarers rights are being trampled under feet in Nigerian Maritime Domain

• Cabotage law not being enforced by NIMASA making Nigerian eligible qualified Seafarers jobless and giving jobs to foreigners who are in most case not more qualified/professionals than Nigerians.
• Ship owners and employers offering ridiculous wages to seafarers.
• Paying seafarers in Naira as against the ILO convention on remuneration which is clearly stated as the US Dollars.
• Pathetically enough, owing seafarers their legitimate incomes for months after working tirelessly as per contract agreement.
• Abandoning an injured seafarer who sustained injuries on the job.
• Security personnel at breakwaters harassing and extorting seafarers boarding/ disembarking from ships.
• Disembarking Nigerian crew from ships before foreign voyages.
• Crewing agencies ridiculous extortion of seafarers before placing them aboard.
• Unhealthy, unsafe and insufficient/unhygienic food and water for seafarers on-board.
• No medical care for ailing seafarers onboard.