Breaking! NLC writes GMT Nigeria, warns against plunging maritime into avoidable crisis.

…urges shipping form to respect agreement brokered by Shippers’ Council

Cartoon Strip Ad 2

The Nigeria Labour Congress has contacted the management of GMT Shipping over alleged anti-labour activities in the company

In the letter signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero the Congress warned that the activities of the shipping firm may plunge the maritime industry into avoidable crisis.

Comrade Ajaero, in the letter urged the foreign owned shipping agency to respect the agreement between the union and shipping companies brokered by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and other meaningful dialogue with the union on its demands with a view to reaching amicable resolution.

In the letter obtained by our correspondent, the Congress stated that some of the nefarious activities of GMT include, termination of the appointment of the unit executives for daring to be elected as workers representatives; harassing and coercing workers to denounce union membership, refusal to sign collective bargaining agreement with the union.

Other allegations by the union are; issuance of query to intimidate union officials for offences not committed and use of the Police and harass the national leadership of the union at various police formations on frivolous allegations.

Text of the letter, “We convey to you fraternal greetings from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and to bring to your attention complaints from one of our affiliate unions, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, on a series of anti-labour activities perpetuated by your company and the urgent need to address the issues raised.

“We have been made to understand that after a series of legal battles at the Industrial Court (NIC), the union established a branch in your company with dully elected unit executives. However, since constituting the unit executives, the management of the company has launched unrestrained anti-labour activities to frustra activities of the union.

“These nefarious actions carried out by the Management include ;

1. Termination of the appointment of the unit executives for daring to be elected as workers representatives,

2. Harassing and coercing workers to denounce union membership,

3. Refusal to sign collective bargaining agreement with the union.

4, issuance of query to intimidate union officials for offences not committed, and

5. Use of the Police to harass the National leadership of the union at various police formations on frivolous allegations.

“We wish to note that these are weighty issues that not violate extant labour laws in our country, but contravene international labour standards as enshrined in ILO conventions that Nigeria is signatory to.

“Of more concern has been your blatant jettisoning of the communique of June 5, 2023, signed by the Nigerian Shippers Council, the Maritime Workers union of Nigeria and the Shipping Companies/Agencies Freight Forwarders Employers of which you were part of.

“The agreement, which at the hee! of the strike action embarked upon by the union, had covered a range of issues directed at resolving industrial relations challenges in the shipping sector, and some of these included prevailing complaints of the union against your company.

“Apart from ignoring the agreement, your Management was said to have not only reported the strike action to the Police in an attempt to muzzie the union leadership, but instituted a court case against the union on a general strike action that was not targeted at the company.

“We strongly condemn the anti-labour activities of your company, and if not discontinued might plunge the Maritime industry into avoidable crisis. Consequently, we urge you to respect the agreement between the union and shipping companies brokered by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and enter into meaningful dialogue with the union on its demands with a view to reaching amicable resolution.

“While hoping our request meets your consideration, accept our goodwill and regards.”