Section 2: Functions of the Council

The Council shall-(a) register, keep and maintain the register of each dock workers, seafarer, stevedoring company and seafarer employers, jetty and terminal operators;
(b) regulate the conditions of service of dock workers and seafarers;
(c) ensure direct payment of wages to each dock worker and seafarer by the stevedoring companies and seafarer employers;
(d) set out guidelines which will ensure that dock work and !eafaring is rotated evenly among dock workers and seafarers in the pool;
(e) ensure that dock worker and seafarer employers comply with the existing regulations and standards in relation to crewing, wages, safety, welfare and training of dock workers and seafarers at ports and on vessels;
(f) ensure that Nigerian National Carriers employ one hundred per cent of their crew, and at least seventy-five per cent of their shipboard officers including captain and the chief officer and where possible chief engineers, from its pool of seafarer;
(g) approve conditions of service for dockworkers and seafarers as recommended by stevedoring companies, and seafarers employers, jetty and terminal operators and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) following guidelines set up by the Council ;
(h) ensure that the activities of dock workers and seafarers are not inimical to the peace, security and industrial harmony and smooth operations at the Nation's seaports and off board vessels;
(i) serve as a medium for resolving disputes and complaints among the interest groups in the maritime industry; and
(j) conduct a census of dock workers and seafarers in the pool every three years.