Unpaid Salaries: MWUN Revives 7-Day Ultimatum to CRFFN

Unpaid Salaries: MWUN Revives 7-Day Ultimatum to CRFFN

By prince Benson Davies

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has revived its 7-day ultimatum to the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) over unpaid salaries. The union is demanding immediate payment of outstanding salaries to its members. If the CRFFN fails to meet the deadline, the MWUN has threatened to embark on industrial action, which may disrupt port operations nationwide.

A press statement signed by Comrade Felix Akingboye, Secretary General of the MWUN, threatened that the industrial action would include the withdrawal of services from seaports, terminals, jetties, and oil and gas platforms.

This latest development comes after an earlier ultimatum was suspended, following a communiqué signed on September 18, 2024, between MWUN and CRFFN.

CRFFN earlier allegedly failed to honour the agreement, prompting MWUN to reinstate the ultimatum. The union emphasized its commitment to defending the rights of its members and ensuring that their welfare is prioritized.

“The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) wishes to bring to the notice of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the general public information emanating from our members who are employees of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), in respect of their welfare and conditions of service

The Union has been informed that the management of CRFFN has once again stopped the payment of staff salaries to MWUN members who are employees of CRFFN as a result of a change in leadership.

“The Union appreciates the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR—for appointing a new and substantive registrar/CEO to head the council on the recommendation of the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola CON.

“MWUN had initially taken to the public space to commend the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy for wading in and facilitating a bail-out bond, provided by a sister agency under the Marine & Blue Economy, to assist the CRFFN to pay part of the backlog of over nine (9) months’ salary arrears owed to the workers.

CRFFN not honoring their side of the agreement, the Union is now being faced with another unexpected regression in this matter as employees of CRFFN—MWUN’s members are now once again left in a state of limbo as the payment of staff salaries has been stopped by the management of CRFFN.”