RMT WELCOMES SEAFARERS SUPPORT SCHEME

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2020 :: RMTnews 14 RMT has welcomed a successful joint initiative with the maritime charities to create a training bursary for seafarers made or at risk of redundancy due to the economic fall out from Covid-19. Since the start of the pandemic RMT has argued for schemes that will protect Ratings’ jobs and skills for the long term, including re- training for jobs in other maritime sectors such as offshore renewables. Approaching 2,000 UK seafarers have lost their job due to Covid-19’s economic impact, with ferries, offshore supply and cruise hit particularly hard. In response, the union has worked with the Maritime Charities Group (MCG), which includes the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) and the Marine Society to set up this scheme. The bursary is worth £500 and there is an initial pot of £20,000 and can be used for refreshing generic skills such as interview preparation or writing a maritime CV, as well as for meeting the cost of obtaining specific MCA-approved qualifications such as STCW refresher courses. RMT assistant national secretary Mark Carden welcomed the move. “Redundancies in the ferry sector alone have already hit the 1,000 mark so anything the maritime charities can do to fund retraining for merchant seafarers is incredibly welcome,” he said. UK Merchant Navy seafarers, particularly ratings with a plan to re-enter the maritime industry, whether seagoing or shore-side are encouraged to apply for this support. The faster it goes to those that need it, the stronger our argument is for further funding. To apply and obtain more information please go to https://www.marine- society.org/redundancy-fund MNWB and Trinity House have contributed £10,000 each and the MCG is meeting the Marine Society’s costs from administering the scheme. RMT continues to work hard to build on this fund and to persuade the government to contribute to this and other schemes needed to protect UK Ratings’ jobs, livelihoods and skills during and beyond the pandemic. MCG chair Commander Graham Hockley said that the cruise and ferry sectors have been hit particularly hard by the economic downturn caused by Covid-19. “We know from our trade union contacts that around 2,000 merchant seafarers are already facing redundancy and more are likely to follow. “Jobs are in short supply but the market will pick up so now’s the time to invest in training and skills development. “Whether it’s a CV writing course, interview skills or a new training certificate, the maritime charities want to help and we are making money available for training that will help merchant seafarers who’ve been made redundant due to Covid to stay in the industry. “It’s not meant to replace support from employers or to let them off the hook, but it will help plug the gap for those who aren’t getting that support - and its available now,” he said. Each of the charity partners has an important role to play: MNWB brings its welfare expertise; Trinity House promotes maritime careers; and the Marine Society brings extensive experience of running similar funding schemes together with providing information, advice and guidance on maritime education and training. RMT WELCOMES SEAFARERS SUPPORT SCHEME