By Roland Ekama
Sequel to years of squabbles, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) said it has reached a truce with employers of labour from the shipping companies in the country for a new minimum standard wages for the workers in the sub sector.
Recall that the union had declared state of emergency in the sector over failure of the shipping companies to agree to their terms for welfare of the union members.
Speaking on the development, the President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju told journalists on Tuesday in Lagos, that the new minimum wage standard is a welcome development.
He said that the era had gone when shipping workers would be handed “death sentences” after retirement.
His words, “We have concluded negotiations for Collective Bargaining Agreement for workers in the shipping subsector of the maritime industry.
“You know in the past that I declared state of emergency in the sector following failure of the management of shipping companies to come to the negotiation table with us
“But today, we were able to meet with all the employers and resolved. Now, we are Bout to have a minimum standard for shipping workers.
“We are satisfied with the little one we have gotten now. ”
“Today, we have gotten minimum standard for shipping and we are signing the agreement on Monday.”
He also expressed satisfaction over the agreement reached by the union and employers from the shipping companies noting that”As Oliver Twist, we will definitely ask for more at the right time “
