Seafarers working with the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Wednesday protested over a 50 per cent cut in their salaries
The protest was a reaction to a mail sent to them by the company mandating all Seafarers to sign and comply with the cut within seven days or risk losing their jobs.
Condemning the drastic salary slash which is to take effect from September 1, and the manner at which they were informed, they described the act as being unjust, inhumane and partial.
They argued that against the reasons of economic realities by the company for the salary slash, they also have to contend with the increase in the means of livelihood and the current level of inflation in the country.
A representative of the workers, Mr Titus Aligwe, said the Seafarers of other nationalities within NSML were affected by only 20 per cent cut, which means giving them better consideration above indigenous staff.
He said that the Seafarers of other nationalities which includes Indians, Pakistanis, Russians, Croatians, among others were also challenging the wage cut.
Aligwe further disclosed that their office based colleagues at NSML, NLNG and Bonny Gas Transport (BGT) were not affected at all. The seafarers explained that the proposed 50 per cent salary cut would subject them to earn far below their other counterparts in other companies.
According to the Seafarers, the protest was in reaction to the mail signed by the Crewing Manager, on behalf of NSML management requiring Nigerian Seafarers to sign and comply with aproposed 50 per cent salary cut within seven days or risk losing their jobs.The arbitrary salary slash expected to take effect from Sept. 1 2016. Nigerian Seafarers condemned the manner of informing them without proper consultation as partial, unjust and inhumane.
The Seafarer’s basis for disagreement was further steeped in the fact that Seafarers of other nationalities including Indians, Malaysians, Pakistanis, Russians, Croatians, among others are also challenging the 20 per cent wage cut levied on them by NSML management too. Why should Nigerian Seafarers earn lower than their foreign colleagues, they argued.
The protesting Seafarer’s group said management’s proposal is tantamount to modern day slavery considering their years of rigorous training at Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), and another three years study in the UK.
Also speaking Mr Peter Tobori explained that rather than salary cuts, they deserved an upward wage review which the company has failed to live up to its mandate since its inception in 2009.
They are deeply concerned the NSML may become moribund as the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) and something ought to be done to halt the trend
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