President for enhancing, exploring job market of Bangladeshi seafarers

President Md Abdul Hamid on Wednesday extended his sincere thanks and felicitation to the shipping community and hoped the authorities concerned would take proper and effective action to enhance and explore the job market of Bangladeshi seafarers.

“I hope all concerned government authorities and stakeholders will take proper and effective action to facilitate, enhance and explore the job market of Bangladeshi seafarers,” he said in a message on the eve of the ‘World Maritime Day 2021’.

The World Maritime Day will be observed in the country tomorrow like elsewhere in the globe with the theme “Seafarers: at the core of shipping future”, seeking increase in the visibility of seafarers by drawing attention to their invaluable role.

“On the auspicious occasion of the ‘World Maritime Day 2021’, I extend my sincere thanks and felicitation to the shipping community, authorities and organizations related to maritime industry,” the President said.

He this year’s theme of the day - “Seafarers: at the core of shipping future’’- highlighted the unprecedented hardship of the seafarers due to COVID-19 pandemic to keep the world’s supply chain alive and their invaluable role towards the world’s economy.

Noting that the maritime industry facilitates the international transportation of goods and carries forward the world’s economy, Hamid said the world relies on shipping to transport more than 90 percent of the trade by volume including food, medical goods, fuel, raw materials and manufactured goods across the globe.

Seafarers are at the heart of shipping industry and have been the unsung heroes of the corona pandemic, he said, adding they are also victims of the crisis, as travel restrictions left thousands of seafarers stranded on ships or unable to join ships due to suspended flights, closed borders and quarantine requirements, which created a humanitarian emergency that threatens the safety of shipping.

“I appreciate Bangladeshi seafarers for their continuous service in spite of the immense hardship of pandemic and other issues. I am happy to know that responding to call of the UN, the government of Bangladesh declared seafarers as `Key Worker’ to establish their rights in the national and international context and arranged priority COVID-19 vaccination for them,” the President said.

He added: “I am also happy to know that maritime training and education of Bangladesh achieved the international standard and recognition”.