MAY DAY CELEBRATION: MWUN Advises FG To Pay  Seafarers’  Retirees  Aboard NNSL Benefits

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Saturday, called on the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation to pay retired seafarers who laboured aboard the defunct  Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNLS) their pensions and other outstanding benefits.

President General of the union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju made the plea as part of the May 1st Workers Day celebration message in Abuja.

Adeyanju urged the government to upgrade the training standard of Nigerian seafarers, pointing out that seamen deserved the best enlightenment and  education to compete favourably with their foreign counterparts .

 

He noted that the retired seafarers served the country diligently during the period , thus they need all the necessary support from government in return.

 

The  President General noted that at least the sailors  monthly pension should be considered , saying it was long overdue for the government to pay .

 

He lamented that most of the pensioners lived in abject penury.

 

He also stressed the need for government to dredge the Calabar port for its viability in furtherance to ease the gridlock faced along the  Lagos seaports corridor.

 

“We seize this opportunity to call on government to speedily expedite action on improving access to our ports through the access roads, the dredging of Calabar ports and the monitoring of the influx of the so called expatriates who have taken over jobs which Nigerians are eminently competent to undertake, even more importantly we wish to use this opportunity to call on the government to enjoin IOCs to comply with extant stevedoring regulations which they flaunt with impunity and disregard to our national security architecture.

 

 

“As Nigerian workers mark today’s celebration, MWUN wishes them well and assures of it’s commitment to continue to partner with the respective social partners to move maritime sector, the gateway to our national economy forward.

 

 

“We especially salute our social partners, the NPA, NIMASA, SHIPPERS COUNCIL, STOAN, NASC, NIWA and our numerous employers and maritime stakeholders for holding and supporting our drive for conducive work environment for our members and further development of the maritime sector.

 

While commemorating on the year labour’s day commemoration , the MWUN boss called on leaders from  both the senior and junior labour unions in the maritime sector  to work in harmony in the protection of workers welfare and negotiation.

 

“The leadership and membership of maritime workers union of Nigeria salutes Nigeria workers, NLC and TUC On the occasion of the 2021 labour day celebration and further wish them a fruity new month.Viva Nigerian workers”.

 

By Roland Ekama