Members of the Association of Shipping Lines Agents (SAN) on Friday advised the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to shelve its planned protest, stating that shutting down the seaports cannot be in the interest of the nation.
Recall that the MWUN had threatened to shut down the nation’s seaports and terminals on Monday, October 30, 2023, if the salaries and allowances of its members were not reviewed.
The union had issued a 7-day ultimatum to all foreign and multinational shipping companies operating in Nigeria to review the entitlement of its members or face the consequence of shutting down their operations.
Chairman of SAN, Boma Alabi, at a press conference held in Lagos on Friday, noted with concern the announcement by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria of their intention to commence strike action by October 30, 2023.
The SAN Chairman said the shipping companies have repeatedly reminded the MWUN that SAN members do not encompass the totality of employers in the Maritime sector; despite that, SAN has been engaging with MWUN on certain improvements to terms and conditions for employees.
She said several enhancements have already been tabled and that dialogue is ongoing, with the most recent meeting on 29 September 2023.
“It should also be noted that the MWUN seek to impose “minimum standards of employment” while the members of SAN, who seem to be repeatedly singled out in the media and public statements by MWUN, consider existing terms and conditions for SAN member companies employees to be significantly above any so-called “minimum standards” already.
“Yet we remain open to discussions on sustainable proposals.
“In recent weeks, many companies have provided additional palliatives to staff to cushion the effects of fuel price hikes and other inflationary pressures affecting all Nigerians.
“A strike in the ports at this delicate time is a strike against every single business, worker and consumer in Nigeria, not simply against shipping companies.
“Many of our members are significant investors in the Port and Logistics sector in Nigeria, creating thousands of jobs and helping to enhance and improve competitiveness and investment opportunities for businesses in the country.
“At a time where Nigeria needs investment to create growth and opportunities for employment, we consider a call to shut down the nation ports to be wholly inappropriate.
“The welfare of employees is of utmost importance to members, and we remain open for constructive dialogue through the existing Technical Committee of employers and MWUN chaired by the Nigerian Shippers Council.
“Attached is a schedule of the meetings we have held so far with the MWUN, which belies the unfounded accusation of a “lackadaisical” attitude on our part”, Boma Alabi added.
. TheWitness
