There is palpable tension in the nations maritime industry following the refusal of a foreign shipping firm, Messrs Hull-Blyth Nigeria Limited to accept a N200,000 Minimum Wage agreement reached between maritime workers and representatives of shipping companies operating in Nigeria, the Shipping, Shipping Agencies, Clearing and Forwarding Employers Association (SSACFEA).
Recall that in August 2024, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy mid-wifed the signing of a N200,000 Minimum Wage agreement between maritime workers under the aegis of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the SSACFEA.
Distancing itself from the agreement which was witnessed by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, SSACFEA leadership and Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) Chairman, Vicky Haarstrup, Messrs Hull-Blyth Nigeria Limited announced that it is not a member of the employers group and therefore is not covered by the minimum wage agreement.
The shipping company in a letter written in September to the MWUN leadership said that the decision by SSACFEA to agree with a N200,000 minimum wage is therefore not binding on it.
In a response letter to Messrs Hull-Blyth Nigeria Limited, which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune exclusively, the MWUN described Messrs Hull-Blyth Nigeria Limited’s claim of not being a member of SSACFEA as erroneous, warning that it is imperative for all shipping employers to comply with the agreement signed in August in-order for peace to reign in the nations shipping sub-sector.
According to the MWUN letter which was signed by the Union Secretary General, Felix S. Akingboye, and addressed to the Managing Director of Messrs Hull-Blyth Nigeria Limited, “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 27 on the above subject and to express the Union’s dissatisfaction over your claim that your company, Messrs Hull-Blyth is not a member of the Employers Association and therefore not covered by the agreement reached between the Union and the Shipping, Shipping Agencies, Clearing and Forwarding Employers Association (SSACFEA).
“We regard this claim as erroneous as all along, Messrs Hull-Blyth Nig. Ltd. has been a member of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) which now metamorphosed into SSACFEA.
“However, the industry minimum wage agreement signed by MWUN and SSACFEA sets a baseline for fair and just condition of service for the shipping sector and It is imperative for all shipping employers to comply with the provisions contained therein.
Also speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, a member of the MWUN who wouldn’t want his name in print as he has not been asked to speak on the matter, explained that the ploy by Messrs Hull Blyth to distance itself from SSACFEA which evolved from SAN is erroneous because Messrs Hull Blyth was a prominent member of SAN and at no time withdrew from the association even when it metamorphosed into SSACFEA.
“How come Hull Blyth is now saying it is not part of SSACFEA? Why didn’t Hull Blyth distance itself from the group before the signing of the agreement? Hull Blyth is a member of SAN and we all know that SAN metamorphosed into SSACFEA.
“The decision by SSACFEA to sign the N200,000 minimum wage is binding on all its members and Hull Blyth cannot at this time pull out because there could be trouble if that happens,” the MWUN source told the Nigerian Tribune.
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