The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has issued a fresh seven-day ultimatum to the management of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), demanding the immediate payment of all outstanding salaries to its members. The union’s decision comes after the management of CRFFN once again halted salary payments for the employees under its employment due to a change in leadership.
In a press release signed by the Secretary General of MWUN, Comrade Felix S. Akingboye, the union expressed disappointment that the progress made in resolving the nine-month backlog of unpaid salaries has been reversed.
The union had initially commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, for facilitating a bailout bond to assist CRFFN in paying off part of the salary arrears. However, reports have now emerged that employees are once again facing delays in receiving their due payments.
The union highlighted the leadership change at CRFFN, with the appointment of a new Registrar/CEO, as a significant development stating that MWUN had hoped that this change would usher in a new era of stability for the workers. Unfortunately, the union now reports that a leadership vacuum appears to have emerged, with management failing to resolve the salary issues, thereby negatively affecting the welfare of its members.
MWUN also expressed concerns that the workers could become victims of internal management disputes or irregularities at CRFFN, emphasizing that the union’s primary focus remains ensuring that its members are not further disadvantaged by these ongoing issues.
In response to the latest development, MWUN has reactivated the seven-day ultimatum it had earlier suspended, giving CRFFN a final deadline of seven days from this press release to settle all outstanding salary arrears. Should the management fail to comply, MWUN has warned of possible industrial action, including the withdrawal of services at all seaports, terminals, jetties, and oil and gas platforms.
