By Omolade AbdulKareem
Harboursandport.com: Lagos- October 31, 2024: The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, and the Senior Staff Association of Government-Owned Companies, SSAGCOC, have threatened to shutdown the nation's seaports, terminals, jetties as well as oil and gas platforms national to press home their demands over the failure to Hull Blyth Nigeria Limited's refusal to adhere to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA and the company's decision to casualise it's dockworkers.
Making their intentions known at a press briefing in Lagos, the Union leaders expressed concerns regarding Hull Blyth's alleged failure to adhere to agreed labour standards.
They noted that the CBA launch witnessed by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has not been respected, depriving workers of fair wages, essential benefits, and job security.
MWUN President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, along with SSAGCOC President, Com. Akinola Bodunde, criticized the company's approach to labour issues.
Adeyanju said, "Hull Blyth’s actions not only breach labour agreements, but show a lack of respect for the contributions of our members, who are critical to Nigeria’s maritime industry."
The Unions stated that casualization has left workers vulnerable and deprived of full-time benefits, such as health insurance, pensions, and consistent wages.
This practice, they argue, represents a calculated attempt to cut costs at the expense of worker welfare.
“Our workers deserve stability and security, but Hull Blyth’s policies have only jeopardized their livelihoods,” SSAGCOC representatives emphasized. He expressed the frustration of members who have endured worsening conditions despite repeated attempts to negotiate.
The Unions pointed out that Hull Blyth's reliance on outsourcing and its practice of repatriating profits to its home country have further intensified the situation. They warned that if the company continues to disregard the CBA, they will take strong action, including the potential closure of all ports, terminals, jetties, and oil and gas platforms nationwide.
The unions remain committed to advocating for workers' rights and are prepared to escalate their efforts to ensure fair treatment for all employees within the maritime sector.
Adeyanju said, “We must state here that Hull Blyth is known for its 100 per cent entrenched casualisation of its workforce. This company solely depends on outsourcing of all its operational processes. It is also known for repatriation of the company’s huge profits back to their home country.
“We therefore wish to use this medium to sound a note of warning to Hull Blyth management that the union will resist this action, with all it would take, including closing down all ports, terminals, jetties and oil and gas platforms nationwide should this blatant disregard for the CBA agreement persist."
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