The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has reinstated a previously suspended seven-day ultimatum to the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) over unpaid salaries of its members working in the council. The move follows what the union describes as an “unexpected regression” in the resolution of salary issues affecting its members, which had been initially addressed by the intervention of the Federal Government.
In a press statement signed by the Secretary-General of MWUN, Comrade Felix Akingboye, on Friday, the union expressed disappointment over the CRFFN management’s failure to continue salary payments despite earlier assurances. MWUN lamented that its members employed by CRFFN were once again left in uncertainty, with salary payments halted.
Earlier, MWUN had commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his intervention in securing a bailout fund under the ministry’s purview. This fund enabled CRFFN to settle a backlog of nine months’ worth of salaries owed to the affected workers.
However, the union noted that despite the appointment of a new substantive Registrar/CEO to oversee the council, there had been no tangible improvement in the payment structure.The Union stated that reports reaching the MWUN National Headquarters indicated that CRFFN employees were still facing financial distress, with no visible signs that the payment crisis was being addressed.
In response to what it perceives as a failure on the part of CRFFN management to uphold the welfare of workers, MWUN said it has officially reactivated its seven-day ultimatum. The union expects immediate action within the stipulated time frame, failing which it has vowed to take decisive steps to protect the interests of its members.
MWUN warned that should CRFFN fail to meet the deadline, it would be left with no choice but to mobilize its members across the maritime sector to embark on industrial action. Such an action could extend to all seaports, terminals, jetties, and oil and gas platforms, potentially leading to significant disruptions in maritime operations.
Reaffirming its appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, MWUN urged urgent intervention to resolve the lingering salary issue. The union stressed that while it remains committed to industrial harmony, it would not hesitate to take action if workers’ rights continue to be neglected.
