Congratulating Captain Belal (14N) for his appointment as the Chairman of IMEC

Congratulating Captain Belal (14N) for his appointment as the Chairman of IMEC

Dear Zillur Bhai,

Thank you for kind and thoughtful reply. As with everything we do in real life, nothing can be achieved without a like minded team. Without your keen interest and dedication we could not have achieved what is now a founding step to move forward. Much work still  need to be done to make progress from where we are today. I will continue to do what we have started together.

Kind regards

Belal (14N)

On Fri, Apr 19, 2019 at 6:12 PM President-BMMOA <president@bmmoa.org> wrote:

Dear Capt. Belal,

I could not respond to this email in the BD Mariners Group earlier as I am travelling at a remote place in India with limited access to internet.

Firstly, I must mention that your initiative, assistance and guidance was the main catalyst for the BMMOA to get affiliation of the ITF. You have personally given me (as the past President of BMMOA) adequate time and efforts during your visit in London and Dhaka, (even over telephone) for BMMOA to get ITF affiliation and compile the IBF Collective Bargaining Agreement suitable for BMMOA under the requirements of MLC. I must admit that you educated me in learning the nitty-gritty of IBF and CBA, and you have the greatest contribution in BMMOA being affiliated with ITF and using the ITF IBF CBA by BMMOA which has put BMMOA in a firm financial footing. On behalf of all members of the BMMOA I express our gratitude to you and we are highly delighted for your appointment as the Chairman of IMEC.

While interacting with IMEC high officials I found their great respect for you as the then Vice-Chairman and to your capabilities and your contribution to IMEC. 

It is noteworthy that being in the employers organisation, you have been assisting the employees (seafarers) and their unions in a generous way. This is highly appreciative of your feeling for the seafarers.

I wish you every success in your new leading position in IMEC and good health.

With kindest regards

Zillur (11N)

On Thu, 18 Apr 2019 at 09:04, BELAL AHMED <captbelal@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Fellow Mariners, Senior Sirs,

Thanks for the congratulatory emails from you all. As a very humble person, I am not used to this at all.

My involvement in IMEC started in 2005 and by 2007 I was elected to the board of IMEC. After 12 years in the board i was elected to lead the organization. 

Though I represent Singapore, by Bangladeshi back ground is well known in the board and among IMEC members. I had tried in various ways to help our Bangladeshi seafarers employment and training promotions (both are key areas where IMEC contributes to the industry).

 As part of training assistance i had arranged two visits to Marine Academy by training committee responsible for look for new areas where IMEC can help. Unfortunately, nothing came of it due to many reasons. We all know the ‘elephant in the room’ is the  ‘Visa’ issue for Bangladesh Mariners. Investment in long term training & Employment will increase if we can somehow get a grip on this problem. 

My personal relationship with senior ITF leadership allowed me to assist in the affiliation of our beloved BMMOA. There were lot of background/private discussion before the affiliation was confirmed. As part of this affiliation, and for the first time, IMEC & ITF   came to Dhaka late last year to conduct first IBF agreement (traditionally discussions on Bangladesh wage related issues were done in Mumbai).  We now have the first ITF IBF agreement for Bangladeshi Officers and Ratings that can be enforced around the world. I was disappointed that this remarkable event was not readily available to lot our members. 

ITF has various technical committees where the affiliated union reps attend. Understand BMMOA has a representative attends one of the technical committees. These committees are powerful and i hope that BMMOA will take more interest to attend these committees. 

With my present portfolio in IMEC, I hope to assist as much as i can not only with ITF for industrial relations but also with employment and training related issues. 

My other hope is that the new leadership will run BMMOA with professionalism it deserves (similar to SMOU/MUI/NUSI). This will assist our fellow BMMOA members take up senior roles within ITF and change the way the industrial relations are handled in Bangladesh shipping industry. 

Kind regards

Belal

From: bdmariners@googlegroups.com <bdmariners@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of mohammed anam chowdhury
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2019 5:44 PM
To: bdmariners@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [BDMariners] Achievement by Capt. Belal (14)

Assalamu Alaekum & congratulations to Capt Belal on becoming IMEC Chairman.

Indeed it’s a great achievement & May Allah swt guide you to righteousness.

Wrgds/ Capt Anam on behalf of BMMOA.