MWUN slams Ship & Shore Services for deplorable treatment of seafarers

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has condemned the deplorable living conditions meted on it’s members who are seafarers on board vessels MT Bawarza- a tanker vessel; and two tug boats “Battle Axe and “MT Spain” belonging to the Management of Ship & Shore Services Ltd in Lagos.

In a statement issued by it’s Head of Media, Comrade John Ikemefuna, MWUN said the union’s leadership was recently made aware of the dehumanizing living conditions endured by its members who are legitimate crew members on the Ship & Shore Services Ltd vessels.

The President -General of the Union, Comrade Bunu, has, however, vowed to pursue the matter, stressing that no employer of labour in the maritime sector would be allowed to operate with such impunity by violating and compromising the safety standards of seafarers, providing unhygienic health facilities, and subjecting them to poor and deplorable living conditions with utter disregard.

The MWUN PG also expressed dismay at the inhumane treatment of the crew members on these vessels, stating that they are exposed to various infections and other communicable disease, thereby jeopardizing their health and demonstrating outright disregard for safety and efficiency standards of the vessels owned by Ship & Shore Services Ltd.

“Every Seafarer has the right to a safe and secure workplace which complies with safety, health, and humane living standards; and that have been grossly neglected in this case of the Union’s members in the employ of Ship & Shore.

“The Union will not in any measure let this issues of total negligence on the Seafarers’ and also the disrepair state of the Vessels to fizzle away as the matter has been reported to the appropriate government agency for immediate intervention, ” the statement concluded.