The Seafarers Union of Kenya is seeking a million signatures to lobby for better working and living conditions for African seafarers.The petition seeks to help those on off-shore oil and gas rigs/platforms and African fishermen on board European Union fishing vessels.

"It will be a significant mileage approach for job creation to majority youths," said secretary general of the SUK Andrew Mwangura.According to SUK officials, between 1986 and 2012, 80 East African Seafarers and 2,947 passengers have lost their lives in the shipping casualties such as ship fire and foundering of 26 local owned or managed ocean -going vessels in the Western Indian Ocean region and in Lake Victoria.