SMOU helping to defray seafarers' accommodation cost

Singapore

MINISTER in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing on Friday unveiled a scheme to help defray the accommodation costs of maritime officers and lighten the financial load of shipping companies amid a sectorial downturn.

Describing seafarers as the core of Maritime Singapore, Mr Chan, who dons a second hat as the National Trades Union Congress secretary-general, said the Seafarers' Accommodation Scheme will draw on the funds of the Singapore Maritime Officers' Union (SMOU) "to take care of seafarers when times are tough".