Maritime workers threaten strike over unpaid salaries

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has threatened to withdraw its services from the ports and jetties if the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding fails to pay its members under their employment their nine-month salary areas.

The union also warned of an impending industrial crisis in the maritime sector if the issue is not resolved as soon as possible.

MWUN disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by its Deputy Secretary-General, Oniha Erazua.

Erazua said the union has made several efforts to resolve the matter amicably through various ultimatums and mediatory meetings, including the latest one held in Abuja on September 18, 2024.

He alleged that the management of CRFFN, led by its acting Registrar, has repeatedly ignored these attempts and failed to uphold resolutions that prioritize staff welfare.

One of these resolutions, according to him, stipulated that available funds should first be allocated to staff salaries before other expenses are considered.

The union’s scribe expressed dismay at the continued disregard for this agreement, accusing the CRFFN management of organizing a selective training program while ignoring the backlog of unpaid salaries.

He further accused CRFFN of a nonchalant attitude towards the welfare of its employees.

“If the management of CRFFN does not immediately settle the outstanding salary arrears, the union would be forced to withdraw the services of its members,” Erezua warned.

According to him, the action would affect operations at the Nigerian Ports Authority, dock labor, “shipping and freight forwarding agencies, and seamen across all ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms nationwide”.

He called on relevant authorities to take note of the situation, emphasizing that it can no longer tolerate what it considers impunity by the CRFFN.

A source close to CRFFN  confirmed what the union said.

“What the union said is true, you know the government removed CRFFN from the budget in January, and the council has been struggling since then. Imagine what it means for someone to be working since January and have no salary.

“They managed to pay January’s salary around May and since then, they have not paid anything. Even the January salary didn’t round, some people were paid while others are yet to collect. The staff members have been quite understanding; other staff members from other agencies won’t take what CRFFN is taking. They will promise you that they will pay today, and they won’t pay again,” the source who spoke in confidence due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated.

Meanwhile, an attempt to get a reaction from the acting Registrar of CRFFN, Mrs Cicilia Uromta, was not fruitful as she neither picked up her calls nor responded to the message sent to her up till when this report was filed.