On behalf of the officers, general membership and staff of AMOSUP, let me extend our sincerest collective greetings to all colleagues and friends in the Singapore Organization of Seamen on the occasion of your 50th Anniversary celebration this 2021. We congratulate all of you for achieving this golden milestone event!

As the entire world faces the impact of this deadly COVID-19 pandemic, we pray for the continued health and safety of all SOS officials and members. In these challenging times, the work of trade unions and labor organizations has become more important in ensuring that workers are safe and well-protected at the workplace. We shall continue to coordinate and cooperate with the SOS to see to it that all seafarers are recognized and treated fairly as essential personnel in the global supply chain amidst the pandemic.

We salute the efforts of SOS and other stakeholders in Singapore in dealing with this public health crisis. We realize the value of strong solidarity among maritime unions to advance the global campaign to facilitate repatriation and crew change for thousands of seafarers with extended contracts, who could not leave their vessels because of quarantine restrictions in many places. Together, let us create more safe spaces, transit corridors and healthy bubbles for our seafarers.

As we begin this New Year in celebration of your anniversary, we are filled with the hope that SOS will have greater success in all of its future endeavours. We thank SOS for all the support and assistance it has given to AMOSUP in the past, and we look forward to more meaningful opportunities for greater cooperation with SOS in the next 50 years. Happy Anniversary SOS!