WANTED; 80 MORE SAMOAN SAILORS FOR M.S.C
By: Joshua Lafoa’i
The Mediterranean Shipping Company, (M.S.C.) has reached out to Samoa Shipping Services (S.S.S.) with an urgent request to recruit 80 more Samoan sailors.
Presently, of the 323 Samoan sailors on the M.S.C. payroll, 93% or 300 are still employed which includes those who have had their employment contracts renewed recently with the balance awaiting contract renewals.
Informed last Friday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi praised the Samoan sailors under the S.S.S. leadership saying that this is just rewards for the sailors’ endurance and on the job performances. “More families will benefit thanks to our sailors working abroad. Your Government and country is proud and humbled with these achievements,” complimented the Prime Minister
This week the Samoa Shipping Services Chief Executive Officer, Lautimu’ia Afoa Uelese Va’ai and staff are back on the interviewing table to select the successful applicants for the new vacancies.
“The negotiations and selections go through a rigorous process,” says Shipping Services chief.
“Sailors on island is the priority group with the selection process covering background checks, qualifications and of course their health and physical conditions to ensure they are fit medical wise, physically and mentally.
“They will be afforded all the information including terms of their employments, so that were all on the same page. It is imperative that they understand,” Lautimu’ia added.
As for transportation means, the SSS Chief says that one option is to fly the sailors to their destinations in groups depending of the availability of flights as a result of the strict border security measures in place.
He reassures the families and relatives of the final group to be selected that paramount to Government and SSS is the safety and well-being of the sailors from any high risks that may comprise their lives due to the COVID19.
“Every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of our sailors before they leave the country,” he reiterated.
