The The Shipping Division of the Maritime Workers' Union of Nigeria has expressed disapproval over what it refers to as the ongoing practice of employing workers informally by companies operating in the shipping industry.
A statement released on Friday from the Head of Media at MWUN, John Ikemefuna, mentioned this. The statement noted that the President of the Shipping Branch at MWUN, Olufemi Abass, referred to present labor conditions within the shipping industry as a system driven by slavery, which places company profits above human respect.
Abass highlighted that numerous companies are currently circumventing labor laws by delegating essential tasks to external service providers. He pointed out that these subcontractors provide minimal compensation to employees, essentially embedding temporary employment under another label.
"The types of employers within the sector are engaging in sending employees to subcontractors that provide minimal wages. This represents an intentional expansion of temporary work methods used in the industry, done outside the bounds of labor laws," he stated.
Abass emphasized that although the shipping industry and port operators have repeatedly been involved in what he termed brutal, harsh, and indifferent labor methods.
"This, naturally, undermines labor laws and rules; these industrial leaders keep justifying their harmful actions by progressively adopting dehumanizing practices and intentionally minimizing the role of unions within the shipping sector," he said.
He cautioned that the shipping sector is now experiencing an alarming degree of corporate interference, stating that the union will no longer accept these immoral tactics aimed at taking advantage of employees.
Abass noted that improper labor methods have caused a continuous decline in long-term jobs within the industry.
He mentioned that these offenders think the ideology is financially beneficial and efficient for them to generate significant profits at the expense of agricultural laborers, while simultaneously ignoring fair employment practices outlined in local and international labor regulations.
"The union needs to move quickly to halt this negative pattern, and the moment to take action against this large-scale exploitation of employees in the industry is at hand," he stated.
He mentioned that the issue would be brought to the highest level of the union’s management, where decisive measures would be implemented against those responsible to clean up the shipping sector and improve livelihoods and work environments for every member.
The trend of casual work within the industry involves the common approach of shipping companies employing staff through temporary, brief, or unconventional agreements rather than providing long-term positions accompanied by complete privileges and advantages. As a result, numerous seafarers face uncertainty regarding their jobs, absence of perks, minimal wages, inadequate living conditions, and restricted support from labor unions.
For many years, employees working on temporary contracts have experienced being let go without payment and have had limited labor safeguards, frequently hindering their ability to unite and obtain retirement benefits, fair salaries, or safe working conditions.
The MWUN has openly criticized the informalization of labor in port areas and associated marine activities, calling on employers and decision-makers to stop this trend.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
0 Komentar