Shipping agencies under the aegis of Shipping Agencies, Clearing, and Forwarding Employers Association have approved N200,000 minimum wage for their various employees.
The signing ceremony between SACFEA and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria was organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and with the support of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, which is coming after 20 years of struggle.
Speaking during the document signing ceremony on Saturday in Lagos, the President of SACFEA, Mrs Boma Alabi (SAN), noted that the new minimum conditions of service for workers under shipping places would be the highest in any industry across the nation.
“The most significant thing is that in setting a minimum standard for the shipping industry, we have gone above and beyond any other industry in Nigeria. The national minimum wage is N70,000, and we know what it took to get the federal government to get to that point.
“By the agreement we have signed today, our minimum wage is N200,000. It is almost triple the national minimum wage,” she said.
She said that while the workers were asking for N160,000, it is important to note that the employers went above and beyond to do N200,000, “because they understand the situation in the country and want to ensure that everyone is happy. We don’t just want the workers to live, but to work and save for their future,”
Alabi expressed optimism that the new agreement would assist the nation’s blue economy growth via uniformity with the minimum standards and enhanced productivity and efficiency.
“With minimum standards, we would no longer have charlatans in the system. We are also looking at the developments in other parts of the world to improve the practice in Nigeria.
“One of the challenges in the country is the cost of doing business. This development will enable us to reduce the cost of doing business and compete favourably,” she added.
Also speaking, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, admonished the workers at shipping agencies to increase their level of productivity and efficiency as a reward for the improved conditions agreed by their employers.
“I enjoin the labour unions to remain steadfast and vibrant in advocating for the rights of workers by ensuring compliance with the agreed standards,” Oyetola stated.
He added that the government would continue to provide oversight by providing the enabling environment for compliance and continuous improvement.
“As we move forward, it is imperative that all stakeholders uphold the tenets of this agreement. I urge employers in the industry to embrace these conditions as a catalyst for fostering a positive work environment,” the Minister said.
The President General of MWUN, Adewale Adeyanju, conveyed the labour unions’ gratitude for the feat even as he assured higher performance of shipping workers.
“As we celebrate this achievement, let us also remember that our work is far from over. We will continue to advocate for the rights and interests of maritime workers and the employers for peaceful industrial harmony,” Adeyanju said.
Adeyanju, who is also the Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress, reiterated the MWUN’s assurance to continue to collaborate with all stakeholders for the benefit of the industry.”
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Pius Akutah, attributed the attainment to the exemplary leadership of Oyetola, even as he commended the MWUN and SACFEA leaders.
Akutah argued that success demonstrates the love for the welfare of workers that Hon. Oyetola’s leadership epitomizes.
He also acknowledged the ministry’s improvement via teamwork and collaboration.
In April, the MWUN announced that it has finally reached an agreement with employers of labour in the shipping industry on minimum wage standards for workers, ending over two decades of struggle.
Recall that the MWUN declared a state of emergency in the maritime sector after several failed negotiations with the shipping companies for improved welfare and service conditions for its members. [The Punch]
