The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has demanded an overhaul of the remuneration system that currently operates in the shipping sector,warning that it will no longer accept the increasing outsourcing, poor remuneration of workers and perceived upsurge in unfair labour practices by shipping companies operating in the country.
Adeyanju Adewale, president-general of the union expressed the union’s displeasure over the state of affairs of the shipping sector during the 5th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agencies branch of the union.
He enjoined members of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) to urgently institute the process of upward review of the very poor retirement benefit of shipping company personnel and their condition of service which is virtually non-existence.
“The shipping sector is under siege. Records show that our members in the shipping sector have over the years been under-paid and overworked. This must be stopped now. I am using this medium to sound a note warning that we will no longer accept this situation,” he said.
According to Adewale, the union cannot but point again to the state of insecurity in the ports which has negative effects on business in the maritime sector and thus, affect output while increasing cost of doing business. He added that the situation has forced many companies to pay more than required to strengthen their security apparatus.
This situation, he noted, can be curbed if the government rises up to its duty of providing adequate security for business and for citizens.
