CHARNIKA IMBULANA MUNASINGHE
COLOMBO- National Union of Sea Farers of Sri Lanka, (NUSS) in a ground-breaking venture has launched a new platform that aims to provide gender balance, by making available more opportunities for women in the maritime workforce.
This platform of gender equality will be the focus of their event organized by the National Sea Farers (NUSS) to mark International Women’s Day at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) on Wednesday, March 8.
International Labor Organization, USAID, South Asian Worker Platform, Solidarity Centre, and SLNSS are associated with the event.
NUSS’s initiative has produced the first Sri Lankan female seafarer deck, Nayomi Amarasiri joining the world famous “Carnival Cruise Line. The training and recruitment of Amarasiri has been facilitated with the support of the International Labour Organization ILO office Colombo in partnership with NUSS for the Skills of Migrant Workers project. It was under this project that the first batch of Sri Lankan Female Seafarers being trained and placed in secure employment.
Additionally, NUSS has facilitated the training of 14 female crane operators. Their official recruitment is set to take place in mid- April.
This laudable initiative is an effort to promote gender diversity in the maritime Industry and encourage more women to consider a career at sea.
Today’s programme at SLFI will have all the stake holders associated with this initiative’s implementation speaking on it.
A video presentation will showcase this new platform and its achievements thus far and convey the message that the NUSS will be collaborating with various stake holders such as shipping companies, training Institutes, and Govt. bodies to develop policies and programmes that will promote the recruitment, training and retention of female seafarers.
Speaking to the Colombo Times President of the NUSS Palitha Athuorala said “it was after 2007 that a separate union for Seafarers was established.”
“Presently the union has 14.500 members but NUSS has been successful in initiating and recruiting at-least 65-70 Sri Lankan female worker to work in various ships in the world”. He added.
“The NUSS is strongly committed to support the participation of women in the Industry in line with our mission to provide safety, security and protection.” he said
“The historically male dominated bastions are now changing with these initiatives supported by ILO which is campaigning towards increased involvement of women in the field of work” he added.
NUSS holds this event in keeping with the Global theme to celebrate international Women’s Day in 2023; “Embracing Equity”- encouraging people to adopt a gender equal world, free of bias, stereotype and discrimination.
“The NUSS has secured the support of all relevant parties for the ratification of C190 ILO’s convention nationally. The convention aims at ensuring the right of everyone to work in an environment free from violence and harassment.” he asserted.
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