As a result of the recent change in leadership of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), the Council has stopped paying members of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) who are employees of the council.Hence , MWUN has announced that it will go on a 7-day strike .
The Secretary General of the Union, Felix Akingboye, who disclosed this in a press statement explained that the non-payment is happening again after MWUN workers who worked with CRFFN had suffered the same problem in the hands of the past leader.
He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a new and substantive Registrar/CEO to head the Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy – Adegboyega Oyetola.The MWUN Secretary General revealed that the Union had initially taken to the public space to commend Oyetola for wading in and facilitating a Bail-Out bond, provided by a sister agency under the Marine and Blue Economy to assist the CRFFN to pay part of the backlog of over nine (9) months’ salary arrears owed to the workers.
Akingboye announced that the Union has decided to resuscitate the earlier suspended 7-Day Ultimatum issued to the CRFFN, and consequenty give the management of the CRFFN notice of Seven 7 Days Ultimatum from 27th November, 2024 within which MWUN expects that payment of all outstanding salaries to it’s members be made.
“MWUN is now being faced with another unexpected regression in this matter as employees of CRFFN – MWUN’s members are now once again left in a state of limbo as the payment of staff salaries has been stopped by the management of CRFFN.
“Reports reaching the National Headquarters of MWUN are to the effect that these workers are now being owed months of arrears with no succour within sight as all signs of progress on this issue have now evaporated.
“In a bid to ensure smooth running of the Council, MWUN was hopeful that there would be no reason to agitate for workers’ rights after the appointment of a substantive Registrar/CEO to manage the affairs of the Council, but unfortunately there appears to be a leadership vacuum in the Council and this development is now directly and negatively impacting the members of MWUN under the employ of CRFFN; our focus at this time remains that our members do not become victimized by any form of top management squabble, Irregularity or impasse.
“Failure of the CRFFN management to put their house in order and honour the terms of the Agreement reached between MWUN and CRFFN in Communique dated 18 September 2024 will result in the union taking action to defend the rights of its members which may include the withdrawal of their services in all the seaports, terminals, jetties, and oil and gas platforms.” Adegboye wrote.
