Maritime Employers Non Remittance of Pension Deductions Will Cause Industrial Action-Bunu Abi
In this first interview with JournalNG after assuming office as President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi identifies staffing gap in government agencies and non remittance of pension deductions by some employers in the industry as some of the challenges.
The labour leader is calling on President Bola Tinubu to approve recruitments into these agencies to make them perform at their best and achieve more for Nigeria
He spoke to Ismail Aniemu
Excerpt
What has it been like in the last two months since you ascended the saddle as the number one labour leader in the Nigerian maritime industry?
It’s quite demanding and also challenging. It’s a sector that has to do with so many employers and everybody have their own peculiar problems.As a trade union, this administration just came in, barely one month and some days ago and what we tried to do is to look at the files to see what the previous governments have done, the things that they have not done and decide the things that we should prioritise. We are trying to do this in order to put the system the way it is supposed to be as a trade union.
We have taken a lot of initiatives when it comes to the issue of workers, because this union is all about workers. With these initiatives, we know that we are on the right track to be able to deliver what the workers want from us.
This confirms,you must have settled down. How would you appraise the level of employer-employee relationship in the maritime industry?
Firstly,let me say that no employer can give any worker everything that the worker expects.It’s like one’s wife or child, but there is an extent that an employer will go that the employee will be contented. That is the level we want every employer to get to, where workers can be contented and say their management has done well.
The companies are owned by people and they have employed our members. It’s what the employees tell us, what they see and what they feel about the management that will convince us.So far from my assessment,every management is ready to cooperate with the union, knowing well that the economy is challenged with prospects for development. All the managements that we have been in contact with, have shown us the positive side of carrying workers along.
There are gaps that have been observed .Some foreigners operate in Nigeria in defiance to the law , where we are supposed to have dock workers, or union’s presence, such activities won parts of the south-south, precisely Delta and Akwa Ibom states and some other parts of the country.What is the union doing about this?
The company in focus is Sterling Global. Since we came into office, we have hit the ground running. We have given a 21 day ultimatum to Sterling Global. If they don’t do the needful, the union will picket them because it has to do with welfare and respect for the dignity of the workers.
We are also talking about non compliance with the Nigerian law on their part. Federal government, through National Assembly, have been able to make sure that laws should be in this country for the common man to be able to have respect for their rights especially as workers.
But this company will just come from no where and disobey the Nigerian laws. They cannot do such in their country. So it is based on that premise that we gave Sterling Global a 21 days ultimatum. All of that is based on workers because they are not respecting the federal government’s law.
The workers who are working for them need better salaries. Workers who are working for them need a better operating environment. They need to make sure that the workers have a sense of belonging. We don’t have any other country than Nigeria . We must protect the interest of Nigerians who are working.
Mr. President, Bola Tinubu is doing his best at a national level, every other person should do their best at every level they find themselves to make Nigeria better. What the company is doing is undermining the efforts of Mr President and the union
So, these companies cannot come to this country knowing that they are making so much money from this country and not want to give back or care for the Nigerians they employed.
Imagine when somebody dies, this company will just go to the family and give them five million naira or one million naira as if they are paying for fish? Is the person a cow, goat or chicken? This is Human life. The law says they should call for the union and the federal government , sit down on a tripartite meeting and negotiate the compensation.
The laws are there. What insurance does their vessel carry? Is it not P & I? Why are they not paying it in line with the laws? It cannot happen in this government. As far as we are concerned, we are Nigerians and we know the law and we will not allow that again.
Talking about branch election, particularly Dock Worker’s election. What is your advice as the father of the union to all contestants, delegates, voters and everybody who are stakeholders in that election?
One thing about human beings, is that information vital to the growth of any system. I see Dock Workers as very peaceful and loving people. In fact, one of the people that I’ve ever seen that appreciate other people’s investments are dock workers, and these hardworking people
They are people that we entrust our multi-million dollar business into their hands to offload at the quay side. If they are volatile people, why don’t they throw people’s cargoes inside the water? But they are very careful. They offload everything that comes to this country through the sea carefully. They are law-abiding and they are people that will keep your business in place.
Let us come to the election. Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has only one constitution, and the constitution provides for the election of the branches, the organ which has the responsibility to fix date and venue is the CWC, which is the Central Working Committee. Central Working Committee has already sat down and given a date, not just for only Dock Workers, but for every other branches. Seafarers will hold it own at Port Harcourt on the 26th of June, immediately after the Seafarers Day, for Dock Workers, it will hold in Warri on 23rd.
Now, forms are out, the union is not stopping anybody from contesting in any election. The union will not disenfranchise anybody, because it’s going to be a free, fair and credible election.
My advice to everybody who wants to contest for Dock Workers election, is that they should follow the procedure. When you pick the form, indicate what you want to contest for. Talk to the voters, those who have the responsibility to vote you into power, are there. You canvass for your vote and they will vote for you. That is what I did when I came into office. I did not impose myself on anybody. In fact, I did not sleep. I have been working to make sure that I become the flag bearer of this team. I worked very hard.The election is not supposed to bring any trouble in any way.
It’s a contest among comrades whereby two, three persons can contest for one position.You talk to each other If it’s not working, go and pick the form and then contest. It should be free and fair. The union will not do anything outside the constitution.
My advice to everybody is that they should be law-abiding, peaceful and campaign for any candidate of their choice. Every terminal operator should sleep with their two eyes closed. As far as we are concerned, everything about this election is for MWUN and the union is capable.
The independent leadership is capable of conducting every branch election peacefully. So, we invite the press, the police and everybody that have a role to play with election issues in this union to come to Warri. You will see how transparent it is going to be. That is how this union runs.
The union is moving to a greater height. And as far as we are concerned, we will not betray the system for any other thing than to do what the workers want us to do and what the constitution asks for us to do as a trade union.
We have also observed a bit of casualization amongst government agencies in the maritime industry, where they contract jobs out without using their staffers. There also appears to be a low number of junior staff. What is the union’s position on this?
The union has made the position very clear and very straightforward to the federal government. We are appealing to Mr. President, he’s a father of the nation. He’s a man who has Nigeria at heart and we know that he has done a lot of things in the maritime sector. For example, recently, a company is trying to partner with government using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), to flag off a shipping line for Nigeria.
Those are things that we feel that Mr. President has done very well for him to bring back even that issue of our national carrier as a country. We will support government to see to its success. Now, this PPP is very good. It means Nigerian seafarers would have a lot of vessels to work on. This shows that he has a better plan for the seafarers.
Concerning agencies within the maritime sector, which includes NPA, NIWA, NIMASA, Shippers Council, I have not seen where it is only senior staffs that works in a public establishment, where it is only the old that exists and not the young.
If you look at it very well, junior staff have been erased from the federal government agencies in the maritime industry. Even, most of the junior staff jobs that are there have been given out in contracts to private companies. Now, automatically, those people are casual workers. Mr. A is working as a staff in the same establishment that Mr B is also working but B is treated as a refugee. It’s bad
You are working at that establishment as foreigner. Meaning you are not entitled to have the benefits of your fellow Nigerian who is working in the same establishment with you. What inhuman treatment are they giving to Nigerians? When there is only senior staff and there are no junior staff, who carries your file? Who cleans your floor? Who turns the generator on ? Who switches on the light? Who does the maintenance? Who looks at the CCTV? Who are the security men? Who drives you? Who carries your file from one place to another? So why are you not employing junior staff? They are being subjected to work as contract staff without adequate benefits.
Are we fair to this country? Some of these management staff today, passed through the same cadre to become directors and so on . Some of them were employed as clerical staff before. Now they grew to the rank of becoming directors. When they get to that point, they will cut the opportunity off for upcoming ones.
The common man is now suffering. We are appealing to federal government that it should be able to tell its agencies to employ junior staffs. Look at all the jetties across the country. NPA needs junior staff to be present there .Look at NIWA, the jetties, their boats. Who drives their speed boats? Who does most of their operational activities? They need junior staffs. Why are they contracting this junior staffs to private firms? We are calling on federal government to come to our aid before it is too late.
Junior staff should be employed in all federal government establishments the same way they are employing senior staffs.Their number keeps reducing without commensurate replacements.
The government agencies will perform better and Nigeria will benefit more from the blue economy initiative if this recruitment is approved
The issue of aged seafarers has been on for years to the extent that each time they meet, their number keeps reducing . What is the update on their pending payments?
Since taking office, we’ve been proactive and focused on improving the lives of our members, including retirees. Despite limited press interactions, significant progress has been made behind the scenes. We’ve taken concrete steps to enhance workers’ welfare, ensuring a better quality of life. Notably, we’ve facilitated a delegation of beneficiaries to Abuja to witness firsthand the progress we’ve made. They’re thrilled with the union’s efforts and the government’s support.
We’ve submitted letters to the Ministries of Marine and Blue Economy and Finance to expedite payment. The verification process is complete, and recommendations have been made. We’re optimistic about payment and commend the federal government, particularly the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, for his dedication and efforts in addressing our concerns. We look forward to continued progress and appreciate government commitment to workers’ welfare.
There is this allegation of non-remittance of pension deduction by some employers in the maritime industry. What is the union doing about it?
We’ve been actively addressing pension violations since taking office. We’ve publicly stated our intention to hold companies accountable for failing to remit pension contributions deducted from employees’ salaries.
After our branch elections, the union will release a comprehensive report exposing companies that violate pension regulations. We assure workers that we’ll protect their pension rights and prevent employers from diverting their funds. Companies that neglect their pension obligations will face consequences.
As we go into the second half of the year, what should we expect from the union under your leadership? What are the immediate expectations?
We’re expecting companies to start complying with regulations immediately. Specifically, we’ll ensure prompt pension remittances for employees. Companies exploiting foreigners or violating Nigerian laws by not hiring locals will face consequences, including potential cutoff from the union.
We’ll also lawfully crack down on companies that mistreat seafarers and other workers, ensuring they adhere to Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) set by the federal government and industry standards. Every company must implement these agreements, including those related to seafarers and other specific worker groups, to avoid repercussions. Moving forward, our focus will be on protecting workers’ rights and monitoring compliance with the law on the part of employers.
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