The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) is set to issue a two-week ultimatum beginning from Monday to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to restore registered onboard ship gangway security and tally men (Pool System) which was initially dissolved by the Authority.
The union had on 5th of August, 2021 written to the Minister of Transportation to demand for the restoration of the pool system which is the accepted norm.
The issue and other maritime labour issues were raised by the President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju when he received the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joseph Ajaero who was on a courtesy visit to the union in Apapa, Lagos.
Comrade Adeyanju highlighted the challenges of the union and workers to the visitor which include:
* 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.
He explained that the issue of payment of pension to aged seafarers in compliance with a subsisting court order is one MWUN is recommending for NLC President’s urgent attention and to be prioritized, adding that 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).
The PG stated that the presence of on board ship gangway men and tally clerks in port operation Is statutory. “This is supported by the dock labour rule of 1967, the National dock labour board established by decree No. 13 of 1979, the Maritime Labour Act, 2003, part ix. This position is further supported by the NIMASA Act, Part Vil = Maritime labour,” he further explained.
Comrade Adeyanju noted that MWUN had earlier forwarded a letter dated 5″ August, 2021 to the Honourable Minister of Transportation to demand for restoration of the pool system for registered on board gangway security men and tally men which the union believes 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 EED TO members of the union in the shipping sector as is the practice for the Nigerian Ports OUR MEMBERS IN THE Authority, dock labour and seafarers.
“*Non renewal of the contract of the terminal operators by the authorities which has put the fate of members of the union in a state of uncertainty and unwarranted suffering and therefore sought the NLC President’s intervention.
Responding, Comrade Ajaero specifically pointed at the issue of the letter sent out since August 2021 without any response for almost two years and gave the nod for a two-week ultimatum to be issued to the authorities concerned.
The NLC President lamented that workers have suffered enough in the country and called proactive steps that will make employers meet workers’ demands.
He disclosed that a plan to establish a Picketing Committee of well built and strong men to be picketing organisations that fail to meet workers’ demands is in the pipeline.
Comrade Ajaero charged the maritime labour leaders to be ready to fight by taking actions, alleviate the suffering of workers.
He declared that the era of workers producing wealth and employers carrying all the wealth away was over.
Earlier in his welcome address, Comrade Adeyanju said that the NLC President’s visit meant a lot to the union as his skills will without doubt restore workers’ movement to its rightful place in the “scheme of our nation’s polity and because of this and your incredible diligence, we feel assured of good tidings for every Nigerian worker. ”
The MWUN PG praised Comrade Ajaero for his track record, stating that the union is sure of his capacity to do a thorough job of guiding the MWUN from straying away from the right path.
He assured the NLC President of MWUN’s commitment and unwavering support for his administration and the vision of hope he brought to the Nigerian working class and allies.