Chairman of SAN, Mrs. Boma Alabi SAN, OON.

Members of the Association of Shipping Lines Agents SAN have decried the proposed shutting down of the Nigeria’s seaports by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria MWUN, saying the action might be inimical to the economy of the country. The shipping agents have therefore advised members of union to shelve the planned protest in the interest of the general public.

Recall that the members of MWUN had threatened to shut down the nation’s seaports and terminals with effect from Monday, October 30, 2023, if the salaries and allowances of its members were not reviewed. The union had issued a seven-day ultimatum to all foreign and multinational shipping companies operating in Nigeria to review the entitlement of its members or face the consequence of shutting down their operations.

Chairman of SAN, Boma Alabi SAN, while addressing a press conference in Lagos, Friday, noted with concern the announcement by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria of its intention to commence strike action by October 30, 2023 was not in the interest of the nation’s economy.  She insists that a shutdown of the seaports at this delicate time is a strike against every single business, worker and consumer in Nigeria, not simply against shipping companies, a development that calls for caution while negotiations go on.

The SAN Chair said the shipping companies have repeatedly reminded the MWUN that SAN members do not encompass the totality of employers in the maritime sector, and that despite that, SAN has been engaging with MWUN on certain improvements to the terms and conditions for employees. She disclosed several enhancements have already been tabled, and that dialogue is ongoing, with the most recent meeting having been held on 29th September 2023.

The Senior Advocate said: “It should also be noted that the MWUN seeks to impose “minimum standards of employment” while the members of SAN who seem to be repeatedly singled out in the media and public statements by MWUN, consider existing terms and conditions for SAN member companies’ employees to be significantly above any so called “minimum standards” already. Yet we remain open to discussions on sustainable proposals.

“In recent weeks many companies have provided additional palliatives to staff to cushion the effects of fuel price hikes and other inflationary pressures affecting all Nigerians.

“A strike in the seaports at this delicate time is a strike against every single business, worker and consumer in Nigeria, not simply against shipping companies.

“Many of our members are significant investors in the port and logistics sector in Nigeria, creating thousands of jobs and helping to enhance and improve competitiveness and investment opportunities for businesses in the country. At a time where Nigeria needs investment to create growth and opportunities for employment, we consider a call to shut down the Nations ports to be wholly inappropriate.”

She argued that the welfare of employees is a matter of utmost importance to members and that they will remain open for constructive dialogue through the existing Technical Committee of Employers and the MWUN, which is chaired by the Nigerian Shippers Council. She also displayed before the media, a schedule of the meetings the shipping agents have held so far with the MWUN, which, insists belies the unfounded accusation of a “lackadaisical” attitude on the part of the shipping lines agents.