GMT: NLC Warns Shipping Coy To Comply With Shippers Council Directives Against Anti Labour Activities

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has warned management of GMT  Nigeria Limited to comply with the recent directive of the Nigerian Shipper’s Council (NSC) and engage the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) meaningfully in furtherance to avoid general strike.

The NLC further frowned at the blatant jettisoning of a communique reached by MWUN, NSC and employers of labour in shipping  companies and agencies  over issues bothering on anti labour activities in the sub sector.

According to a statement made available to DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA dated 10 July 2023 and signed by President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the union condemned in strong terms the ongoing anti labour activities in GMT Nigeria Limited, adding that if such practices is not discontinued might plunge the maritime industry into avoidable crisis.

Ajaero reiterated that apart from ignoring the agreement, GMT management was said to have not only reported the strike action to the police in an attempt to muzzle leadership of  MWUN but to institute a court injunction against the union that was not targeted at the company.

The labour President stated that “We convey to you fraternal greetings from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and to bring

to your attention complalnts from one of our affliate unions, the Maritime Workers Union

of Nigeria, on a series of anti-labour activities perpetuated by your company and the

urgent need to adaress the issues raised.

“We have been made to understand that after a series of legal battles at the Nationai

industrial Court (NIC), the union established a branch in your company with duly elected

unlt executlves.

” However, since constituting the unit executives, the Management of the

company has launched unrestrained anti-labour activities to frustrate activitles of the

union.

“These nefarlous actions carried out by the Management include, termination of the appolntment of the unit executives for daring to be elected as workers representatives, harassing and coercing workers to denounce union membership, refusal to sign collective bargaining agreement with the unlon, issuance of query to intimidate union officials for offences not committed, and use of the Pollce to harass the national leadership of the union at various police formations on frivolous allegations.

Ajaero further noted that the agreement , which at the heel of the strike action embarked upon by the MWUN had covered range of issues directed at resolving industrial relations challenges in the shipping sector  pointing out that “Some of these included prevailing complaints of the union against your company”

Recall that the shipping and freight forwarding branch of the MWUN embarked on industrial on June 5th 2023 to drive home their demands for a better welfare packages.

The union in a close door meeting with the shipping companies and the port economic regulator it was gathered reached a communique which is yet addressed.