NIMASA, MWUN push for urgent review of seafarers’ NJIC agreement

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have joined forces to demand a review of the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) standards for seafarers.

The call comes amid growing concerns that the expiration of the previous NJIC agreement has left Nigerian seafarers vulnerable to poor working conditions, arbitrary employment practices, and a significant lack of enforcement regarding labor standards.

According to a statement signed by the MWUN Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, the current vacuum in the NJIC framework is not just a procedural oversight but a growing crisis.

The lack of an updated agreement the Union said has created an uneven playing field, often putting responsible ship owners at a disadvantage compared to those utilizing exploitative labor practices.

The union emphasizes that any new agreement must reflect international best practices while addressing the specific local challenges faced by those in the coastal, offshore, and fishery sectors.

Lending his voice to the cause, the President-General of the MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, described the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as the “cornerstone of industrial peace.”

To ensure compliance, the Union advocated that the CBA should be an integral part of the compliance checklist for all shipowners adding that a valid CBA be a mandatory requirement for the renewal of operating certificates and the re-registration of vessels.

Bunu noted that pension remittance for seafarers should no longer be treated as optional, calling on NIMASA to strictly enforce mandatory contributions across all maritime sub-sectors.

The Union also called for the establishment of a standing committee dedicated specifically to monitoring NJIC compliance, ensuring the agreement is not “mere paper signifying nothing.”

Comrade Bunu reiterated that the Union remains committed to social dialogue and partnership. He noted that through fairness and strict enforcement, Nigeria can finally build a maritime sector that protects its most valuable asset: its workforce.