MWUN declares trade dispute against Ministry of Transportation over unpaid benefits of retired NNSL seafarers
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Tuesday declared a trade dispute against the Federal Ministry of Transportation over unpaid benefits of Nigerian seafarers who worked with the liquidated Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL).
President General of the Union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, while addressing the retirees Tuesday at the Headquarters Secretariat of the Union, in Lagos, bemoaned the non-payment of the NNSL retirees’ pensions about 27 years after the liquidation of the NNSL.
He said that since the engagement with the government had failed regarding discussions about payment of their retirement benefits, the Union decided to declare a trade dispute against the ministry.
Lamenting the plight of the retirees, Adeyanju s said, “if our country has respect for retirees, I don’t think by now we will still be sitting down here talking about your gratuity or pension, it is because our past governments have no regards for people who put in their lives for this great country.
“I met this issue on my table when I came in as the President General of the union, and since I came in I have been trying to see how we can resolve this matter, but now we are out against them to ensure that you get your legitimate right because you are part of the people who contributed to the success of this great country.
“If our government happens to be a listening government, we shouldn’t be talking about a trade dispute against the ministry, but as it is now we have declared a trade dispute and we are waiting for the outcome.”
The President General also disclosed that a reconciliatory committee would be set up to look at how the seafarers can get their entitlements.
His words: “A reconciliatory Committee will be set up to look inward and see how the rights that belong to you are given to you.
“For those of our people that have died, their families and their children will collect their rights.”
