The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has issued a warning to withdraw services from ports and jetties, if the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding does not address the nine-month salary arrears owed to its members.
The union cautioned that failure to resolve this issue promptly could lead to an industrial crisis in the maritime sector, according to The Punch.
MWUN made this announcement in a statement on Thursday, issued by its Deputy Secretary-General, Oniha Erazua.
The threat underscores growing tensions and the urgent need for a resolution to avoid disruptions in operations.
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 the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, under its acting Registrar, has consistently ignored the union’s attempts to address these concerns and has failed to prioritize staff welfare.
One key resolution stated that available funds should be allocated to staff salaries before any other expenses.
The union’s scribe expressed dismay at the ongoing disregard for this agreement, accusing CRFFN management of organizing a selective training program while neglecting 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 urged relevant authorities to take note of the situation, emphasizing that the union can no longer tolerate what it views as impunity by the CRFFN.
A source close to the CRFFN has confirmed the union’s claims regarding the ongoing issues.
“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, attempts to contact the acting Registrar of CRFFN, Mrs. Cicilia Uromta, for a comment were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages by the time this report was filed.
