Recession: 3,000 port workers have been sacked —Labour •2,000 others on NPA sack list

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has revealed that since the country’s economy plunged into recession, about 3000 workers have lost their jobs while about 20 shipping companies have left Nigeria’s maritime domain. This is also has the association revealed that another 2000 port workers are already on the sack list of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, the President-General of the MWUN,  Anthony Emmanuel Nted, said the ban on some essential commodities by the Federal Government of Nigeria has left more than 3000 port workers jobless.

“We wish to state that as a result of the government’s policy which has banned the importation of some essential commodities into the country, about 3000 port workers, who are our members have been retrenched by shipping companies, terminal operators, and Logistics companies operating in the nations maritime sector. Also about 20 shipping companies have left the shores of the country due to very low traffic,” he said.

On the 2000 pencilled down for sack by the NPA, Nted explained that, “today, we lament the action of the NPA management in attempting to sack another 2000 dockworkers who are mainly Tally Clerks and Onboard Security men despite the relevance in port operations.

“Their importance is critical to the re-occurring scourge of tonnage under-declaration and its negative impact on the nation’s economy. The leakage of revenue through under-declaration of tonnage should be seriously tackled.

“In this regard, we reinstate that the Tally Clerks and Onboard Security Men should be reinstated to continue their critical job of uncovering and discouraging under-declaration of tonnage which is often done with the unholy collaboration of the NPA, Shipping companies/Agents, and Terminal operators. The Tally Clerks are capable of doing this through their independent physical tallying process.

“Over 2000 Tally Clerks are involved. Their reinstatement now will go a long way in reducing the numbers of unemployed Nigerians, and also reduce the misery and poverty this has brought on their dependent.”

On advise to the Federal Government, the union stated that, “we therefore call on the FG to review the policy on the ban on importation of some essential commodities such as Wheat, Vehicle spare parts, and industrial machineries until we are able to produce for local consumption.”