MWUN urges FG to reinstate 300% gratuity for NPA workers, laments dwindling junior staff

The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has appealed to the Federal Government to revert the gratuity rate for Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) workers upon retirement from the current 250% back to its former 300%.

The union also voiced concern over the gradual extinction of junior employees within the NPA.

President General of MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu made the appeal during the NPA branch election held in Lagos on Monday.

Comrade Bunu noted that the government reduced the gratuity rate across all federal agencies, including NPA, without consulting the union.

“They were paying 300% but now they have brought it down to 250%. We are only appealing to the government to bring the gratuity to the standard we were enjoying before. How much are we buying fuel now? How about the cost of living? We were even expecting the government to increase because of the high cost of living, not bring it down. For that, we are saying no to the reduction.”

He added, “If there’s going to be any review, we should be carried along. So we are appealing that the government should reverse back the decision. It’s supposed to be a two-way thing, not one-way.”

Beyond gratuity, Bunu also expressed concern over the shrinking number of junior employees in the NPA, alleging that jobs meant for junior staff were being contracted out.

“NPA used to be the giant of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, but today, the junior staff is gradually going into extinction,” he lamented.

“Today all the work meant for junior staff are being contracted out. So we are appealing to the management to reverse the trend. We are going to take this matter as a top priority with the government.”

Addressing the newly elected NPA branch executive and members, Bunu stresssed the importance of commitment and prioritizing their jobs to secure better conditions of service.

“Let’s do it right so that we can ask for better pay from management. Nobody should play with their job. You must devote your time to the job you’re being paid for. The union will not stand for you if you unnecessarily abandon your duty post.”

He also urged the new NPA branch president, Comrade Ajayi Bamidele, to build and improve on the achievements of his predecessor.

Earlier, the outgone NPA branch President, Comrade Ifeanyi Mazeli, highlighted some achievements of his eight-year tenure, including an increase in workers’ productivity end-of-year bonus from 5% to 7.5%.

However, he too expressed concerns about the dwindling numerical strength of union members due to retirement, promotion, and death.

“As a union, we have brought this situation to the knowledge of management on the need to employ junior workers into the service of the authority.

“The need for this is not far-fetched, particularly as there are hundreds of private jobs operating in the country, and yet the presence of NPA is not there. There is a need to reverse the trend for obvious reasons. However, as a union, we are not ignorant of management’s efforts in this regard, so we urge them to do more,” Comrade Mazeli stated.

The MWUN NPA branch election saw Comrade Ajayi Bamidele unanimously elected as President for a four-year term.

He will lead a new executive team comprising Comrade Adamu Benjamin (Vice President), Fagbemi Olakunle (Treasurer), Adjarho Peter (Trustee), Alabi Lawrence (Trustee), Babatunde Abolore (Auditor), and Oku Ngozi Mercy (Special Female Member).

In his acceptance speech, Comrade Bamidele expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in the new executive.

“We are not going to disappoint you. I promise you that. We will try and work together,” he affirmed.

He pledged robust collaboration with the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) and emphasized the importance of unity within the NPA branch.

“I want to say, from this day forward, there is nothing like camp in this branch. No camp for anyone. We are only but one indivisible branch,” he said.