Union halts wage agitation by dockworkers over recession

Hopes of wage increment for of the dockworkers were dashed few days ago, as the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) discontinued further negotiations on the matter.

The council said the reason for the abrupt end of the negotiation was considerations for the prevailing economic conditions facing the maritime industry and Nigeria in general.

This decision was reached at the inaugural meeting of the NJIC, which met at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Presided over by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Gambo Ahmed, who is also the Chairman of the council, he noted that the dwindling fortunes in global shipping has affected vessel traffic to Nigeria and negatively impacted the fortunes of Sea Ports and Terminal Operators of Nigeria (STOAN).

The Council observed that the economic downturn has caused some operators to lay off workers and in order to stem the tide of retrenchment, it was necessary to discontinue the negotiation on wage increment until the situation improves.The President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Emmanuel Anthony Nted, in his contribution said that MWUN understands the economic situation and so there is no need to demand for increment.

He however called on the Terminal Operators to show understanding when the situation improves and the Union calls for a negotiation of wage increase for dockworkers.

The Chairman of the NJIC, Gambo Ahmed commended MWUN for showing maturity and understanding of the situation and charged STOAN members to reciprocate this gesture when the economic situation improves.

Ahmed commended all parties to the agreement for their show of maturity and called on them to show greater collaboration in order to move the Nigerian maritime industry forward.

He said: “I therefore call on all Council members to cooperate with the Agency towards ensuring meaningful negotiations aimed at the signing of a reviewed collective bargain agreement on dock labour minimum standards”.

The NJIC which is composed of MWUN, STOAN, National Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASC), Jetty and Tank Farm Owners Association of Nigeria and chaired by NIMASA is saddled with the responsibility of negotiating and reviewing Minimum Standards for Dock Labour industry in Nigeria.

The inaugural Council meeting, which held in NIMASA was attended by all members and monitored by officials from the Federal Ministry of Transportation as well as the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.