NLC Cautions Maritime Employers Over Anti Labour Activities

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) , Lagos Chapter  on Thursday , warned maritime employers of labour engaging in anti labour activities to comply with the constitution, even as it  expressed readiness to tackle outsourcing of jobs to foreigners.

 

The union added that it would not condone any attempt for employers in the sector to subvert or upturn the laws  guiding the relationship between workers and management.

 

Lagos State, NLC Chairperson, Comrade Funmi Agnes Sessi who  stated this during a condolence visit to the national secretariat of the union in Lagos over the death of Comrade Sanni Adeleke who died early this month, disclosed that MWUN play a key role to the nation’s economy .

 

In solidarity support, Sessi who described MWUN as the most powerful union in Nigeria, affirmed that employers of labour in the industry should not joke with the constitution of workers welfare and agreement, noting that  an injury to one is equally injury to all.

 

According to her,NLC is aware of the issues between the union and multinationals over anti labour activities adding that the NLC would take its position very soon.

 

 

 

Asked what she intended to do about the outsourcing of jobs that can be handled by Nigerians to foreigners, the Lagos Council boss said the NLC would support Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to cut the wings of employers engaging in anti labour activities.

 

She maintained that the Congress would resist attempts by employers to deny workers of their rights or from getting justice

 

Her words, “In terms of us cutting the wings of any employer doing anti labour activities, we will support all the efforts of Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria in achieving justice for those who are denied justice for the workers and for every law that wants to be subverted and upturned.

 

“We visited the union to commiserate with the members concerning the death of Comrade Sanni Adeleke who was the representative of the union at the state council until his death.”

 

Enumerating some.of the achievements of the Council under her watch, Comrade Sessi educated the executive members of the union to key into the landed property given to it by the Lagos state government in Lekki and Ishefun respectively.

 

Explaining how to key into the scheme, she said members should register with NHS or pay for the property outrightly which according to her is cheaper than what obtains elsewhere.

 

“We are here to tell them some of the feats achieved by the state council and how the union can key into the scheme and how to get the best of it for their members .

 

“The landed property given to the council by Lagos State government some parts in Lekki and some in Ishefun and we have also worked in concert with a developer who will help in developing the places

 

“All you need to do as workers to be beneficiaries is to register with NHS and once that is done, it will be easier for members to benefit from the projects.

 

“Those who are not NHS members can register and pay outrightly. The papers for all of this have already been signed and the roll out will come out in the next two to three weeks.

 

She also assured  that a developer of repute would be introduced to management of the union in furtherance to help expedite actions to complete the Okokomaiko landed property in Lagos within the space of eighteen months.

 

“The Ministry of Justice is involved, it is a legal and transparent process, the projects will be cheaper than what you can get ordinarily in the market because Lagos state has already paid for the lands. What will be involved are the materials and the designs,” she explained.

 

President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju told the NLC Chairperson who was accompanied Comrade Emeka Ekeh, that the union has a landed properly within the Okokomaiko axis within the Ojo Local Government Area of the state,  adding that the property is about an acre and half plot of land.

 

 

Adeyanju stated that despite the mourning of Comrade Sanni, the visit by NLC top officials have brought good luck to members of the Union.

 

He said ” Ordinarily, you wouldn’t have been here but Late Comrade Sanni made you to come and today you are here with goodies for the union.

 

He added that “We noises Comrade Sanni greatly and his death has brought good omen to MWUN”.

 

The PG pledged to support the chairperson of NLC leadership ensuring that her tenure will continue to be smooth and successfully.

 

By Roland Ekama