Merchant Navy Union Close To Unionise Workers Of NIMASA, LCM Others

By Roland Ekama, Delta

 

 

The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNO WTSSA) said on Saturday, that the  seafarers body has concluded plans to unionise  workers of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Lagos Channel Management  (LCM) as part of efforts to better the lots of employees in some of the shipping sub sector organizations.

 

The foremost seafaring union also disclosed that talks are ongoing to also engage Giant Shipping Limited , NSML Sea Transport ARCO Marine Nigeria Limited and Gimbrowns Marine Security Oil and Gas Limited.

 

It was also gathered that the union and the Federal Ministry Of Transport are currently in discussion on the need to finalise modalities to unionise workers of the apex maritime regulatory agency.

 

It was also gathered that the Ministry of Labour and Employment has also indicated interest on the development, even as the union has been advised to copy all correspondents from the Transport Ministry to the Trade Union down to the Senator Chris Ngige for monitoring .

 

Our correspondent was informed that the Ministry of Labour and Employment will ensure that the unionisation of workers in NIMASA succeed but also appealed that the move must be based on voluntary terms .

 

While giving a breakdown of the Secretariat report on the 1st quadrennial national delegates conference put together by the union in Delta State ,outgoing Secretary General , Comrade Julius Efokpor, recalled that the NMNOWTSSA in 2019, successfully unionised Arion Energy Limited -White Dove Shipping , World Carrier Cooperation (WCC) and Miedga Global Marine Service.

 

 

The outgoing scribe who read the report at the conference noted that there has been increment in payment of check off dues by members of Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) and successful review and signing into law of the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) Seafarers Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

 

 

Highlighting some of the challenges faced by the union, Efokpor maintained that proliferation of the nomenclature “Merchant Navy” by different organizations in Nigeria pose serious threat to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) affiliate body of seafarers saying “This issue calls for serious concern as these fake bodies are soiling our image and it is affecting our members when they present their ID Cards to authorities and agencies.

 

 

The scribe affirmed that poaching of members by sister maritime unions also affected the growth under the outgoing leadership led by Comrade Matthew Alalade.

 

 

He fingered  SSACSGOG and  PENGASSAN as  major unions that have trespassed in the act.

 

 

” Poaching of our members by our sister unions is something we need to urgently act on because it is another serious challenge being faced by the association.

 

 

While lamenting on the reduction of workforce by members of the union, Efokpor  decried lack of contract as a result of the Nigeria economic situation to have badly affected some of the already unionised companies.

 

 

“It has caused reduction in their workforce which has affected the month check off dues being remitted to the association”,he added.