The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has expressed concerns that there is salary disparity between Nigerian workers and their foreign colleagues who are doing the same job at the APM Terminals in Apapa Lagos.
Contained in a statement jointly signed on Tuesday by the President General of the Union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, and the Secretary General, Comrade Felix Akingboye, the Union accused the terminal operator of not having regards for workers’ welfare.
The Union said it should not be blamed should there be any industrial action against the terminal as a result of low salaries and allowances being offered, which is below the industry standard.
“…of note is the disparity in the salary and allowances between foreign personnel and Nigerian employees doing the same job in our nation.
“As a Union we are aggrieved at the shabby treatment meted out to our members, and we can no longer tolerate this.”
According to the statement, a seven-day ultimatum issued with regards to the same issue had expired, while four meetings held in attempt to resolve the issue, did not yield desired result.
“The leadership of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria on Wednesday June 22nd 2022 met with the management of APMT Nigeria to discuss the review of the condition of service (Collective Bargaining) for our members for this fiscal year 2022.
“Unfortunately, we are forced to bring to the notice of the general public that after series of meetings, this last one being the 4th, the meeting like the several others ended in a stalemate.
“This is as a result of the refusal of the Management of APMT to concede to workers demand for appropriate and industry compliant increase in their salaries across board. On this note, a seven (7) day ultimatum was issued which has since expired.”
The Union also stated that APM Terminals Nigeria has overwhelmingly exceeded its projected profits and returns on investment, pointing out that its members have been a critical factor to this achievement.
It added that the Union was saddened by the fact that its members who toil day and night to enable the terminal achieve great heights were being denied improved welfare.
“The Union has long noted that APMT has no iota of regard for the welfare of its employees — Nigeria Workers. This is underscored from the ridiculously low salaries and allowance being offered as negotiation which is far below the industry standard.”
The Union also accused the terminal operator of preference to hiring foreign personnel in place of hiring Nigerians on jobs that Nigerians are qualified to do.
