With NLC Support, MWUN Resets Battle Against IOCs over Maritime Labour Issues
NLC PRESIDENT
By Our Reporter
A new era has begun as far as agitation for the welfare of seafarers are concerned. Over the years the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has been daggers drawn against the International Oil Companies (IOCs) over the welfare of seafarers engaged by them without good result.
In March last year, the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, had intervened through a letter to the then Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, threatening strike over the refusal of the IOCs to engage dockworkers through registered stevedoring companies as the law provides.
But all these did not appear to change anything as far as the demands of the workers’ union are concerned.
However, in a determined effort, the NLC has charged the MWUN to battle with the new President of labour, Comrade Joseph Ajaero, weekend advising the maritime union to set up a Picketing Committee to tackle organisations that have no regard to meeting the demands of workers.
This was when the MWUN President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, who is also the Vice President of the NLC informed him that the demands of the union have remained unattended to over the years.
Adeyanju who received the NLC President during a courtesy visit to the MWUN secretariat had pointed out some of the challenges the union has been having in the maritime industry.
He identified the challenges as:
* 10C’s blatant refusal to obey government marine notice 106 of 2014 and extant stevedoring regulations.
* Refusal to pay aged seafarers monthly pension in spite of court ruling.”The issue of payment of pension to Aged Seafarers in compliance with a subsisting court order is one we recommend for your urgent attention and to be prioritised. The issue has lingered for too long in spite of a subsisting court ruling which demands that they be paid pension”
*Restoration Of Registered Onboard Ship gangway
security and tally men = (Pooling System).
Following this, Ajaero recalled the letter to the Transport Minister two years ago which was on restoration of registered onboard ship gangway security and tally men (Pool System) but received no good result.
The NLC President while noting that the suffering has been too much said the MWUN should adopt stern measures to ensure that the affected companies respond to the demand.
He said two weeks ultimatum should be given after which failure to comply, a Picketing Committee will be used against them.
Comrade Adeyanju had in his welcome address praised the NLC President for his wonderful skills, track records and the visit, adding, “we feel assured of good tidings for every Nigerian worker.”
Adeyanju also said that his Union had earlier forwarded a letter dated 5″ August 2021 to the Honourable Minister of Transportation to demand the restoration of the Pool System for registered on-board gangway security men and tally men we believe it is receiving attention”.
*Address the need to awaken the dredging OF Calabar, Warri and Port Harcourt Ports.
*Issuance Of Seafarers Identity Documents (S.1.D) to seafarers.
*Need to ensure that a minimum standard Condition of Service is put in place for our members in the shipping sector as is the practice for the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dock Labour and Seafarers.
“We wish to inform you, Sir, that the contract of the terminal operators has long expired and has not been renewed by the authorities. This has put the fate of our members in a state of uncertainty and unwarranted suffering. We, therefore, seek your intervention.”
A new era has begun as far as agitation for the welfare of seafarers are concerned. Over the years the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has been daggers drawn against the International Oil Companies (IOCs) over the welfare of seafarers engaged by them without good result.
In March last year, the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, had intervened through a letter to the then Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, threatening strike over the refusal of the IOCs to engage dockworkers through registered stevedoring companies as the law provides.
But all these did not appear to change anything as far as the demands of the workers’ union are concerned.
However, in a determined effort, the NLC has charged the MWUN to battle with the new President of labour, Comrade Joseph Ajaero, weekend advising the maritime union to set up a Picketing Committee to tackle organisations that have no regard to meeting the demands of workers.
This was when the MWUN President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, who is also the Vice President of the NLC informed him that the demands of the union have remained unattended to over the years.
Adeyanju who received the NLC President during a courtesy visit to the MWUN secretariat had pointed out some of the challenges the union has been having in the maritime industry.
He identified the challenges as:
* 10C’s blatant refusal to obey government marine notice 106 of 2014 and extant stevedoring regulations.
* Refusal to pay aged seafarers monthly pension in spite of court ruling.”The issue of payment of pension to Aged Seafarers in compliance with a subsisting court order is one we recommend for your urgent attention and to be prioritised. The issue has lingered for too long in spite of a subsisting court ruling which demands that they be paid pension”
*Restoration Of Registered Onboard Ship gangway
security and tally men = (Pooling System).
Following this, Ajaero recalled the letter to the Transport Minister two years ago which was on restoration of registered onboard ship gangway security and tally men (Pool System) but received no good result.
The NLC President while noting that the suffering has been too much said the MWUN should adopt stern measures to ensure that the affected companies respond to the demand.
He said two weeks ultimatum should be given after which failure to comply, a Picketing Committee will be used against them.
Comrade Adeyanju had in his welcome address praised the NLC President for his wonderful skills, track records and the visit, adding, “we feel assured of good tidings for every Nigerian worker.”
Adeyanju also said that his Union had earlier forwarded a letter dated 5″ August 2021 to the Honourable Minister of Transportation to demand the restoration of the Pool System for registered on-board gangway security men and tally men we believe it is receiving attention”.
*Address the need to awaken the dredging OF Calabar, Warri and Port Harcourt Ports.
*Issuance Of Seafarers Identity Documents (S.1.D) to seafarers.
*Need to ensure that a minimum standard Condition of Service is put in place for our members in the shipping sector as is the practice for the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dock Labour and Seafarers.
“We wish to inform you, Sir, that the contract of the terminal operators has long expired and has not been renewed by the authorities. This has put the fate of our members in a state of uncertainty and unwarranted suffering. We, therefore, seek your intervention.”
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