Members of the Association of Shipping Lines Agents (SAN) have cautioned the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), against shutting down port operations,
In a press statement, on Friday, the association advised the union to shelve its planned protest, saying shutting the seaports can not be in the interest of the nation.
The union had issued a 7-day ultimatum to all foreign and multinational shipping companies operating in Nigeria, to review the entitlement of its members or face the consequence of shutting down their operations.However, the Chairman of SAN, Boma Alabi, noted with concern the announcement by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria of their intention to commence strike action by October 30, 2023.
“It should also be noted that the MWUN seek to impose ‘minimum standards of employment’ while the members of SAN who seem to be repeatedly singled out in the media and public statements by MWUN, consider existing terms and conditions for SAN member companies employees to be significantly above any so called ‘minimum standards’ already. Yet we remain open to discussions on sustainable proposals.
She noted that call to shut down the nation’s seaports to be wholly inappropriate, saying they are open for discussion on improvement of workers welfare.