Accessibility.SkipToMainContent
International

Singapore seafarers' union helps provide relief during Covid-19 pandemic

26 May 2020

Nautilus affiliate seafaring union the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS) is helping provide a seafarer relief package (SRP) for members adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

SOS is the latest seafarer union collaborating with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to provide the relief package to assist its Singaporean members. 

Seafarers' livelihoods globally are adversely affected by border control measures and crew change restrictions which are implemented to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The SRP provides support of $800 per month to eligible Singaporean seafarers who are unable to secure shipboard employment between 1 May 2020 and 31 July 2020.

SOS president Kam Soon Huat said: 'Seafarers are in a vulnerable position in this Covid-19 pandemic. Their livelihoods are adversely affected by border control measures and crew change restrictions. As a union that represents seamen, we understand the hardship that they face.

'We are working with MPA to offer financial assistance, in the form of this relief package, to our Singaporean seafarers and their families for them to get by.'

The SRP is part of the MPA's MaritimeSG Together Package set up during the Covid-19 outbreak.

SOS has also delivered 650 care packs containing surgical masks, hand sanitisers, anti-bacterial hand wash, and anti-bacterial hand wipes to its members based in Singapore.


Tags

More articles

Welfare

Free Relate counselling offered for UK seafarers

A new partnership between Seafarers UK and counselling agency Relate means seafarers and their families whose relationships are at stretching point from the stress of the coronavirus pandemic, can be referred for free relationship counselling.

  • News
  • 26 May 2020
Health and safety

Take part in an ITF survey on health protection measures on-board ships in response to Covid-19

Seafarers are urged to have their say on their experiences of the coronavirus pandemic and onboard procedures in a survey being carried out by the Seafarer Section of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).

  • News
  • 21 May 2020
Community

Staying safe on board resources launched for seafarers

Further resources have been launched for seafarers on staying safe onboard and coping strategies for extended tour of duties as the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic continues for crew.

  • News
  • 26 May 2020
Industrial

Yacht crew should be paid during quarantine, says Cayman register

New guidance from the Cayman Islands shipping registry (CISR) says that seafarers should be paid while in mandatory Covid-19 quarantine on joining or leaving a vessel.

  • News
  • 22 May 2020
International

Italy eases Covid-19 restrictions on yacht industry

Italy eases Covid-19 restrictions on yacht industry

  • News
  • 22 May 2020
Members at work

No mandatory quarantine for seafarers in Britain

Seafarers will be exempted from planned travel restrictions that could include a mandatory 14-day quarantine for visitors and residents returning to the UK.

  • News
  • 21 May 2020
International

ITF message to seafarers: 'we will not give up until you are all safely home'

Seafarers have been honoured for their hard work and professionalism throughout the global pandemic by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).

  • News
  • 12 May 2020
Welfare

IMO endorses new protocols designed to lift barriers to crew changes

Governments and their relevant national authorities should do everything possible to allow crew changes to happen, according to the International Maritime Organization.

  • News
  • 11 May 2020

Become a Nautilus member today