The Shipping Agencies, Clearing, and Forwarding Employers Association, which represents shipping agencies, has authorized a minimum pay of N200,000 for its diverse employees.
After 20 years of battle, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council organized the signing ceremony between SACFEA and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, with help from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The President of SACFEA, Mrs. Boma Alabi (SAN), stated that the new minimum conditions of service for workers under shipping places would be the highest in any business in the country during the document signing event on Saturday in Lagos.
“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.
“Because they understand the situation in the country and want to ensure that everyone is happy,” the employers went above and above the N200,000 that the workers had requested, according to the speaker.
We want the workers to work and save for their future in addition to simply surviving. Alabi expressed hope that the new agreement’s conformity with minimal standards and increased productivity and efficiency will support the growth of the country’s blue economy.
“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 favorably,” she added.
Speaking as well, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, warned the employees of shipping companies to boost their output and efficiency in exchange for better working conditions that their employers had agreed upon.
“I enjoin the labor unions to remain steadfast and vibrant in advocating for the rights of workers by ensuring compliance with the agreed standards,” Oyetola stated.
He went on to say that the government would keep up its oversight by creating an atmosphere that encourages compliance and ongoing development.
“It is essential that all parties uphold the principles of this agreement as we go. The Minister urged businesses in the sector to adopt these policies as a means of encouraging a happy workplace.
The labor unions expressed their gratitude to MWUN President General Adewale Adeyanju for the accomplishment, and he also promised improved performance from shipping personnel.
“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.”
Prior to this, NSC Executive Secretary Pius Akutah praised the leaders of the MWUN and SACFEA while attributing the achievement to Oyetola’s model leadership.
According to Akutah, the achievement shows how much Hon. Oyetola’s leadership cares about the wellbeing of workers. He also praised the ministry’s progress made possible by cooperation and effort. After more than 20 years of negotiation, the MWUN declared in April that it had finally come to a minimum pay standard with labor employers in the maritime sector.
Remember that following multiple failed attempts to enhance member welfare and service conditions with shipping companies, the MWUN declared a state of emergency in the maritime industry.