MWUN Issues 21-Day Ultimatum To Melsmore Marine Over Non Compliance Of CBA , PFA

The President – General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) , Comrade Francis Bunu Abi has issued a 21-Day ultimatum to Melsmore Nigeria Limited, situated at Choscharis Plaza, 68A Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to a statement signed by Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN said it’s on record that Melsmore Marine Nigeria Limited is an outfit in the maritime industry and as such are accountable to the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, having engaged the Union members in its workforce performing all Maritime operations.

The statement recalled that the “Union, through the office of its Secretary – General, Comrade Oniha Erazua demanded that Melsmore Marine Ltd provides the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the Pension Fund (PFA) of its workers, who are our bonafide members of the Union, hitherto, the management of Melsmore Ltd had defiantly refused to obliged the Union these aforementioned documents in compliance with the Industry Regulations and Standards; and also in accordance with extant Labour Laws.”

“This documents request by the Union will put both the workers and employers in a stable and conducive work environment and the operations, for business to become less prone to regulatory interruptions.

“The Union is dismayed over absolute refusal of Melsmore Limited to comply with the documents demanded despite all conciliatory efforts to engaging Melsmore Ltd over the welfare of the workers; hence, the Union demands that the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the remittance records of the Employees’ Pensions Fund Administrators (PFA) be sent to MWUN.

The statement further added that “This action of Melsmore has further given the Union the impression that the management of Melsmore Limited has zero appreciation for the Union’s positive disposition towards the smooth running of Melsmore business in the sector.

“In this light, it’s believed that Melsmore action is tantamount to deception and fraud, which has sparked off suspicion and restiveness amongst the employees; and the Union is gravely concerned that the workers are being shortchanged their statutory rights to accurate pensions remittance, which they ought to know; hence, MWUN has issued a 21-Day ultimatum to enable Melsmore Nigeria Ltd accede to the demand of the Union, or face industrial action, which includes picketing of Melsmore’s business premises and its other business locations nationwide.