By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has expressed concern over the irregular remittance of pensions for dockworkers and seafarers by employers.

In a statement issued by its President-General, Francis Bunu Abi, the union threatened to shut down terminal operators and shipping companies found to be perpetrating these illegal acts.

The statement, released through the union’s Head of Media, John Ikemefuna, read:

“The leadership of the union recently became aware of terminal operators and other employers who have been irregular in remitting their employees’ pensions to the appropriate authorities. This action shortchanges both seafarers and their counterparts, the dockworkers—two key categories of workers represented by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria.

“It has also come to our attention that some shipowners and terminal operators have allegedly stopped remitting pensions for dockworkers and seafarers in their employ. This constitutes a gross violation of labour laws.”

In the light of this, the union stated it would have no other option but to take strong action and hold accountable the management of any company found to be in breach of labour laws and unethical employment practices.

The President-General emphasized that it is unlawful to deny workers their pension rights by any means.

“As a union, we will not hesitate to confront concessionaires and shipping companies that have defaulted in the statutory pension payments of our members,” he stated.

Bunu warned that erring companies in the maritime sector would be shut down if the current trend continued.