Mwun

GMT: NLC Warns Shipping Coy To Comply With Shippers Council Directives Against Anti Labour Activities

Comrade Joe Ajaero, President, Nigeria Labour Congress
Comrade Joe Ajaero, President, Nigeria Labour Congress

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has warned management of GMT Nigeria Limited to comply with the recent directive of the Nigerian Shipper’s Council (NSC) and engage the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) meaningfully in furtherance to avoid general strike.

The NLC further frowned at the blatant jettisoning of a communique reached by MWUN, NSC and employers of labour in shipping companies and agencies over issues bothering on anti-labour activities in the sub sector.

According to a letter dated 10th July 2023 and signed by President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the union condemned in strong terms the ongoing anti labour activities in GMT Nigeria Limited, adding that if such practices are not discontinued, it might plunge the maritime industry into avoidable crisis.

Ajaero reiterated that apart from ignoring the agreement, GMT management was said to have not only reported the strike action to the police in an attempt to muzzle leadership of MWUN but to institute a court injunction against the union that was not targeted at the company.

The labour President stated that “We convey to you fraternal greetings from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and to bring to your attention complaints from one of our affiliate unions, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, on a series of anti-labour activities perpetuated by your company and the urgent need to address the issues raised.“

“We have been made to understand that after a series of legal battles at the National

Industrial Court (NIC), the union established a branch in your company with duly elected unit executives. However, since constituting the unit executives, the Management of the company has launched unrestrained anti-labour activities to frustrate activities of the union.”

“These nefarious actions carried out by the Management include:

  1. Termination of the appointment of the unit executives for daring to be elected as workers representatives,
  2. Harassing and coercing workers to denounce union membership,
  3. Refusal to sign collective bargaining agreement with the union,
  4. Issuance of query to intimidate union officials for offences not committed, and
  5. Use of the Police to harass the national leadership of the union at various police formations on frivolous allegations.

Ajaero further noted that the agreement, which at the heel of the strike action embarked upon by the MWUN had covered range of issues directed at resolving industrial relations challenges in the shipping sector  pointing out that “Some of these included prevailing complaints of the union against your company”

Recall that the shipping and freight forwarding branch of the MWUN embarked on industrial on June 5th 2023 to drive home their demands for a better welfare packages.

The union in a closed door meeting with the shipping companies and the port economic regulator it was gathered reached a communique which is yet to be addressed.

 By Roland Ekama

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