Bangladeshi seafarers staged a protest in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday, raising alarms about an impending crisis in the marine sector, which generates nearly USD 750 million in annual remittances. Organized by the Bangladesh Mariners’ Community, the demonstration featured a human chain and a five-point demand charter.
Protesters criticised the government’s proposal to issue Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs) to SSC-passed diploma holders as officer cadets, arguing it violates international maritime standards and the Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1983. They warned that implementing the proposal could lead to Bangladesh being removed from the IMO White List, harming global credibility and seafarer employment.
Concerns were also raised about issuing officer-level CDCs after just six months of training outside the Bangladesh Marine Academy, which could undermine professional standards. The demands included cancelling the proposed CDC move, resolving visa barriers for seafarers, ensuring demand-based recruitment quotas, ministry intervention, and securing the release of Captain Mahbub, imprisoned in Venezuela.
Speakers emphasised that seafarers represent Bangladesh abroad and that maintaining international standards is critical for the nation’s reputation and job security in the global maritime industry.
