SOS is collaborating with MPA to provide the Seafarers Relief Package (SRP) to assist its Singaporean members whose shipboard employment has been affected by border control measures and crew change restrictions.
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.
Mr Kam Soon Huat, SOS President, 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.”
Please submit the online application after 30 May 2020 via this link after the declared period where you were unable to secure employment onboard foreign-going vessel. Applications should come in latest by 31 Oct 2020.
Members who wish to apply for the SRP or have any enquiries, please contact SOS Membership & Welfare Services Division at 6379 5666.
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SOS is collaborating with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to assist Singaporean seafarers to tide over COVID-19.
The Seafarers Relief Package (SRP) provides support for up to $800 per month to eligible local seafarers who are unable to secure shipboard employment between 1 May 2020 and 31 July 2020.
Mr Kam Soon Huat, SOS President 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. That is why we have collaborated 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 fund is open to active Singaporean seafarers (seamen registered with MPA, in the case of ratings) who have been deployed onboard foreign-going vessel from 1 November 2019 onwards and are awaiting assignment or on standby for employment onboard foreign-going vessel or unable to secure shipboard employment for 30 days or more from 1 May 2020 to 31 July 2020 (i.e. not paid seafaring allowance).
Individuals who have benefited from the COVID-19 Support Grant administered by the Ministry of Social and Family Development are not eligible to apply for the seafarers relief package.
The Solidarity Budget, presented on 6 April 2020, complements measures introduced under Budget 2020 on 18 February 2020 and the subsequent supplementary Resilience Budget on 26 March 2020. It aims to address the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Singapore’s economy and society. The $27 million MaritimeSG Together Package, announced on 29 April 2020, provides further financial support to the maritime industry. The Seafarers Relief Package is part of the MaritimeSG Together Package.
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, MPA highlighted: “We have to be prepared that COVID-19 will be with us for some time. MPA has therefore rolled out a S$27 million MaritimeSG Together Package to provide targeted support for maritime companies, individuals and seafarers. The package includes: further financial support for maritime companies such as port dues concession and rebate on counter rental and overnight berthing; greater support for upskilling and digital transformation efforts; and financial and employment support for Singaporean seafarers.”
MPA, the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), SMOU and SOS are also jointly providing a revised Achievement Award (AA) scheme. These award seek to encourage candidates to continue sailing and progressing in their seafaring careers.
MPA is also providing a one-off additional $50,000 to its grant of $150,000 to the seafarer missions in Singapore to provide for the needs of seafarers onboard ships calling at Singapore. The grant supports a range of welfare services for seafarers including free counselling services and pastoral care.
“A global pandemic calls for a coordinated global response. Together, we can still change the course of the pandemic by taking necessary actions to contain the outbreak,” MPA said.
