The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has warned that it may shut down the nation’s ports due to nine months of unpaid salaries owed to its members working for the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
The union has called on the federal government to intervene immediately to avoid a major industrial crisis.
In a statement released by the union, Deputy Secretary General Oniha Erazua, speaking on behalf of Secretary General Felix Akingboye, expressed frustration over the unresolved issue. “MWUN wishes to bring to the notice of the general public the continued nonpayment of nine months of salaries owed to our members by the management of CRFFN,” he said.
The union revealed that it had tried all possible means to resolve the issue, including issuing several ultimatums and holding mediatory meetings with CRFFN. However, these efforts were ignored. “Despite this, the management of CRFFN continues to disregard resolutions reached at several mediatory meetings, including one held in Abuja on September 18, 2024,” Erazua added.
MWUN also criticized CRFFN for organizing a staff training while ignoring the unpaid salaries. “It is worrisome to us as a union that despite extending a hand of fellowship and showing willingness to engage, CRFFN still conducts its affairs in ways inimical to the well-being and welfare of our members,” the union stated.
The union has now warned that if the situation is not addressed, it will have no choice but to withdraw the services of its members across all Nigerian ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms.
“Should the management of CRFFN continue to withhold the nine months arrears of salary owed to our members, we will totally withdraw the services of our members in the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dock labor, Shipping & Freight forwarding agencies, and Seamen from all ports,” the statement concluded.
The union called on all relevant authorities to take immediate action before the situation escalates further.
