MWUN threatens to picket Melsmore Marine over non-compliance with CBA, pension fund

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of its President-General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, has issued a 21-day ultimatum to Melsmore Marine Nigeria Limited over non-compliance with the provision of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) and Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) details for its employees who are members of the Union.

According to a press statement by Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media for MWUN, Melsmore Marine Limited, as an entity operating within the maritime industry, is accountable to MWUN, given its engagement of union members in its workforce for various maritime operations.

MWUN stated that it had earlier requested Melsmore Marine Ltd to provide the CBA and PFA records of its workers, who are recognized as bonafide members of the Union but Melsmore’s management has “defiantly refused” to furnish these essential documents, which are required to be in compliance with industry regulations, standards, and extant labour laws.

“This documents request by the Union will 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 is 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, ” the statement said.

MWUN warned that should Melsmore Marine fail to accede to the Union’s demands within this period, it will escalate its actions to industrial action, which includes picketing of Melsmore’s business premises and its other business locations nationwide.

“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, ” the statement concluded.