MWUN Scores Terminal Operators, NIMASA, NPA Low On Workers Welfare

President-General of Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN); Mr Emmanuel Nted, has accused private terminal operators and other government organisations in maritime sector of failing had in their welfare responsibility to workers.
Nted said this in Lagos last week at a one-day training and enlightenment seminar on “Life After Retirement’’, organised by the union.
He said that the NPA, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency as well as the private terminal operators had not done enough in preparing for the future of their workers.
He said that the seminar drew together seafarers, workers of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), dockworkers, as well as shipping, clearing and forwarding workers.
The president general said the union spent more than N10 million to organise the seminar, adding that similar seminars would be held in Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar and Warri.
“This training programme ought to be organised by the terminal operators, NPA, NIMASA and other agencies that employ workers in the maritime sector.
“However, they have abandoned their duty in this regard and the union deemed it fit to do something like this.
The president-general urged all employers of labour in the maritime sector to do more for their staff, adding that the organisations had not done enough.
Nted said that the union was preparing a revolving loan scheme for the workers.
“The issue of a cooperative and loan scheme is in the pipeline. We are planning and working toward it.
“As you can see, the industry is witnessing a lot of peace among the workers. We are working toward maintaining peace.
“Welfare issues, when addressed will always promote peace,’’ he said.
He urged the workers to be attentive to the seminar resource persons in order to gain a lot from them.
“Today is a day we will always remember. The knowledge you will acquire today is a very important one.
“Remember, you hold the key to your future. I have seen so many ex-NPA staff begging for alms because they did not plan for their future.
“Think of your life and the future of your wife and children. This is the time to plan for your future,’’ he said.
He said that without such training and enlightenment seminar, many workers would face difficult situations in surviving when they retired.