The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) led by the President – General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi has given a 21-day ultimatum to Melsmore Nigeria Limited, to comply with the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the Pension Fund (PFA) of its workers.
Melsmore Marine Nigeria Limited is located at Choscharis Plaza, 68A Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN disclosed the ultimatum message a statement made available to journalists in Lagos.
He said it was on record that Melsmore Marine Nigeria Limited is an outfit in the maritime industry and as such are accountable to the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, having engaged the Union members in its workforce performing all maritime operations.
He added that it would be recalled that the Maritime Workers Union, through the office of its Secretary – General, Comrade Oniha Erazua demanded that Melsmore Marine Ltd provides the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the Pension Fund (PFA) of its workers, “who are our bonafide members of the Union, hitherto, the management of Melsmore Ltd had defiantly refused to obliged the Union these aforementioned documents in compliance with the Industry Regulations and Standards; and also in accordance with extant Labour Laws.”
According to Ikemefuna, these documents requested by the Union would put both the workers and employers in a stable and conducive work environment and the operations, for business to become less prone to regulatory interruptions.
The Union, he continued, was dismayed over absolute refusal of Melsmore Ltd to comply with the documents demanded despite all conciliatory efforts to engaging Melsmore Ltd over the welfare of the workers; hence, the Union demands that the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the remittance records of the Employees’ Pensions Fund Administrators (PFA) be sent to MWUN.
“This action of Melsmore has further given the Union the impression that the management of Melsmore Ltd has zero appreciation for the Union’s positive disposition towards the smooth running of Melsmore business in the sector.”
“In this light, it’s believed that Melsmore action is tantamount to deception and fraud, which has sparked off suspicion and restiveness amongst the employees; and the Union is gravely concerned that the workers are being shortchanged their statutory rights to accurate pensions remittance, which they ought to know; hence, MWUN has issued a 21-day ultimatum to enable Melsmore Nigeria Ltd accede to the demand of the Union, or face industrial action, which includes picketing of Melsmore’s business premises and its other business locations nationwide.”
