The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has condemned the inhumane living conditions of its seafarer members on board vessels belonging to Ship & Shore Services Ltd in Lagos.
The union’s President-General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, expressed outrage over the inhumane treatment of crew members on vessels MT Bawarza, Battle Axe, and MT Spain.
This was disclosed in a press release by Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, the union’s Head of Media on 23rd April, 2025.
According to the union, the crew members were subjected to unhygienic health facilities, poor living conditions, and disregard for safety standards, exposing them to infections and communicable diseases.
The MWUN leadership described the situation as dehumanizing and totally negligent, emphasisng that every seafarer has the right to a safe and secure workplace that complies with safety, health, and humane living standards.
It was also revealed by the union that the issue has been reported to the appropriate government agency for immediate intervention, pledging not to let the issue fade away.
“ The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the able leadership of Comrade Francis Bunu Abi has frowned over the deplorable living conditions meted on its Seafarers’ on board vessels “MT Bawarza” tanker vessel; and two tug boats “Battle Axe and “MT Spain” belonging to the Management of Ship & Shore Services Ltd in Lagos.
“ The dehumanizing living conditions of the Union’s Members who are bonafide crews on board Ship & Shore Services vessels Ltd, was recently brought to the notice of the Union’s leadership.
“ The President -General of the Union, Comrade Bunu, a Maritime Expert, Seasoned Sailor and Business Administrator vows not to allow the matter lie low, stressing that no employer of labour in the Maritime sector would operate with such impunity by violating and compromising the safety standards of Seafarers’ on board vessels, providing unhygienic health facilities, poor and deplorable living conditions with absolute ignominy.
“ The MWUN PG also noted with dismay how these crew members were been treated inhumanly on board these vessels, exposing them to all kinds infections and other communicable disease on a daily basis, thereby compromising their health with outright disregard for safety and efficiency standards of the aforementioned vessels belonging to Ship & Shore Services Ltd.
“ Having said that, every Seafarer has the right to a safe and secure workplace which complies with safety, health, and humane living standards; and that have been grossly neglected in this case of the Union’s members in the employ of Ship & Shore. The Union will not in any measure let this issues of total negligence on the Seafarers’ and also the disrepair state of the Vessels to fizzle away as the matter has been reported to the appropriate government agency for immediate intervention”.
