The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened industrial action should the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) fails to comply with a seven-day ultimatum demanding payment of outstanding salaries to its members.
A statement signed by Comrade Felix Akingboye, Secretary General of the MWUN, threatened that the industrial action would include the withdrawal of services from seaports, terminals, jetties, and oil and gas platforms.
This latest development comes after an earlier ultimatum was suspended, following a communique signed on September 18, 2024, between MWUN and CRFFN.
However, the CRFFN has allegedly failed to honor the agreement, prompting MWUN to reinstate the ultimatum. The union emphasized its commitment to defending the rights of its members and ensuring that their welfare is prioritized.
“The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) wishes to bring to the notice of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the general public information emanating from our members who are employees of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), in respect of their welfare and conditions of service.
“The Union has been informed that the management of CRFFN has once again stopped the payment of staff salaries to MWUN members who are employees of CRFFN as a result of change in leadership.
” The Union would like to appreciate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria —His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for appointing a new and substantive Registrar/CEO to head the Council on the recommendation of the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy – Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola CON.
“The Union had initially taken to the public space to commend the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy for wading in and facilitating a Bail-Out bond, provided by a sister agency under the Marine and Blue Economy to assist the CRFFN to pay part of the backlog of over nine (9) months’ salary arrears owed to the workers.
“However, the Union is now being faced with another unexpected regression in this matter as employees of CRFFN — MWUN’s members are now once again left in a state of limbo as the payment of staff salaries has been stopped by the management of CRFFN.
“Reports reaching the National Headquarters of MWUN are to the effect that these workers are now being owed months of arrears with no succour within sight as all signs of progress on this issue have now evaporated.
“In a bid to ensure smooth running of the Council, MWUN was hopeful that there would be no reason to agitate for workers’ rights after the appointment of a substantive Registrar/CEO to manage the affairs of the Council, but unfortunately there appears to be a leadership vacuum in the Council and this development is now directly and negatively impacting the members of MWUN under the employ of CRFFN; our focus at this time remains that our members do not become victimized by any form of top management squabble, regularity or impasse.
“In light of the above, we hereby resuscitate the earlier suspended seven (7) Days ultimatum issued to the CRFFN, and consequently give the management of the CRFFN notice of Seven (7) Days Ultimatum from the date of this Press Release within which MWUN expects that Payment of all outstanding salaries to our members be made.
“Failure of the CRFFN management to put their house in order and honour the terms of the Agreement reached between MWUN and CRFFN in Communique dated 18 September 2024 will result in the union taking action to defend the rights of its members which may include the withdrawal of their services in all the seaports, terminals, jetties, and oil and gas platforms,” the statement reads in part.
