Maritime workers threaten to shut ports operation

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to shut ports operation over poor pay and terminal benefits of its members. In a letter signed by the union’s Secretary-General, Felix Akingboye, and addressed to the Chairman, Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), the union issued a 21-day ultimatum to shipping companies who are their employers in the sector.

MWUN’s letter partly said: “In our letter under reference, proposal was made for a meeting of your association and the union to hold between 10th to 14th June 2019 with a view to reviewing the overdue terminal benefits currently being paid to workers, but up till now, you have not found it necessary to dignify us with a response.”

“This is not an attitude that encourages cordial industrial relationship. It is rather an indication of the level of contempt at which you hold the union and the little regard you have for workers welfare. “Since you have decided to treat our request with levity, I have been directed to issue your association 21 days notice effective from the date of this letter within which you are expected to convey a meeting with the union for the purpose of reviewing upward the terminal benefits payable to workers at their point of exit,” the letter stated.