National Maritime Day: Simetec awaits a response from the new government regarding the sector’s outstanding demands

Praia, 25 June (Inforpress) – The president of Simetec, Tomás Aquino, said today that he hoped the new government would prioritise the demands of Cape Verdean seafarers, lamenting the lack of solutions to the sector’s problems despite the commitments made over the years.

In statements to Inforpress, on the occasion of National Maritime Day, celebrated today, the president of the Regional Union of Metalworking, Transport, Tourism and Communications (Simetec) pointed to the reduction in the retirement age, the absence of a specific salary scale, issues related to contributory career and social protection as the main concerns of professionals in the sector.

Regarding the reduction of the retirement age, Tomás Aquino recalled that the matter was approved in the context of social dialogue 27 years ago, but has not yet been implemented.

According to him, the situation results from a lack of political will on the part of successive governments, despite the commitments made to implement it.

TC/JMV

Inforpress/End