The Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association has staged a protest by presenting a five-point demand against the discriminatory interference of outsiders that deprives mariners of their rights.
The event took place today at the organisation’s head office in Chattogram, reads a press release.
Captain Md Anam Chowdhury, President of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association, presided over the conference, while General Secretary Marine Engineer Md. Shakhawat Hossain read a written statement in this regard at a press conference.
Among their demands, they called for the appointment of maritime professionals based on qualifications in all administrations related to commercial shipping. They also urged an end to the rampant corruption that has persisted for the past 15 years, along with necessary reforms, reconstruction, and development of the naval sector to enhance its dignity, the statement reads.
The written statement highlighted an incident from March 2009 when the then Director General of Marine, Captain Shafiqullah, was unjustly labelled as associated with Jamaat-e-Islami by the Directorate General of Shipping under directives from the Director General and unnamed parties.
This action has destabilised the shipping sector in Bangladesh through various tactics.
The association also demands the immediate return of the commandant of Barisal and Rangpur Marine Academy and the appointment of qualified personnel for all trainer positions according to recruitment rules.
They also called for the promotion of qualified candidates to the post of Member (Harbour) of Chittagong Port, advocating for the abolition of autocratic practices.
Additionally, they insisted that the current shipping ministry adviser investigate all allegations of corruption in the naval sector.
Senior members of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association, including Meherul Karim, Captain Malek, Ataullah Khan, and Atiq Ullah, along with other association members were present at the event.
Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association serves as the sole trade union for all Bangladeshi marine officers working on seagoing domestic and foreign ships and on land, representing over 12,000 marine officers and engineers. Bangladeshi sailors and mariners contribute approximately $670 million to the national economy.
