SAMOA SHIPPING COMPANY CONSIDERS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OVERSEAS FOR FEMALE SAILORS

Samoa shipping Sevices is in talks with some overseas companies to open up employment opportunities for female sailors.

SSS General manger Afoa Uelese Vaai told TV1 Samoa the company received over 20 applications women interested in working on foreign vessels.

Lautimu'ia said the applicants are currently working on inter island ferries and are seeking job opportunities in foreign vessels.

Afoa added that they are negotiating with Mediterranean Shipping Company to allow female sailors from Samoa to work on their cruise liners.

Disscussions revolve around and include the safety of female workers on vessels with the spread of the Covid 19 pandemic, as well as the possibility of female workers getting pregnant while on the job and work related issues that must be addressed prior to the allowing of employment for female workers on shipping vessels overseas.

Lautimuia confirmed that the negotiations with the foreign shipping companies are progressing well and its just a matter of time before Samoa can send its first group of female sailors abroad for work on foreign vessels.