The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to shipping companies to address the poor pay and terminal benefits of their member.
The union, in a letter to the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), said its request for a meeting since May 2019 to discuss an upward review of overdue terminal benefits currently paid to workers, has yielded no response.
“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,” MWUN said.
The letter which was signed by the union’s Secretary-General, Felix Akingboye, said the shipping firms had shown contempt and lack of regard for workers’ welfare. The union said it would shut port operations after the expiry of the 21 days.
