Shipping agencies under the Shipping Agencies, Clearing, and Forwarding Employers Association (SACFEA) have approved a N200,000 minimum wage for their employees.
The agreement, finalized in a ceremony organized by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council with support from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, marks the end of a 20-year struggle.
Mrs. Boma Alabi (SAN), President of SACFEA, stated that these new minimum wage conditions will be the highest in any industry nationwide.
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“The most significant thing is that in setting a minimum standard for the shipping industry, we have gone above and beyond any other industry in Nigeria. The national minimum wage is N70,000 and we know what it took to get the Federal Government to get to that point.
“By the agreement we have signed today, our minimum wage is N200,000. It is almost triple the national minimum wage,” she said.
She said that while the workers were asking for N160,000, it is important to note that the employers went above and beyond to do N200,000, “because they understand the situation in the country and want to ensure that everyone is happy. We don’t just want the workers to live, but to work and save for their future,”
Alabi expressed optimism that the new agreement would boost the nation’s blue economy by establishing uniform minimum standards and improving productivity and efficiency.
“With minimum standards, we would no longer have charlatans in the system. We are also looking at the developments in other parts of the world to improve the practice in Nigeria.
“One of the challenges in the country is the cost of doing business. This development will enable us to reduce the cost of doing business and compete favorably,” she added.
The Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, urged workers at shipping agencies to enhance their productivity and efficiency as a response to the improved conditions negotiated with their employers.
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“I enjoin the labor unions to remain steadfast and vibrant in advocating for the rights of workers by ensuring compliance with the agreed standards,” Oyetola stated.
He added that the government would maintain oversight by creating an enabling environment to ensure compliance and foster ongoing improvement.
“As we move forward, it is imperative that all stakeholders uphold the tenets of this agreement. I urge employers in the industry to embrace these conditions as a catalyst for fostering a positive work environment,” the Minister said.
The President General of MWUN, Adewale Adeyanju, expressed the unions’ gratitude for the achievement and assured that shipping workers would demonstrate increased performance.
“As we celebrate this achievement, let us also remember that our work is far from over. We will continue to advocate for the rights and interests of maritime workers and the employers for peaceful industrial harmony,” Adeyanju said.
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Adewale Adeyanju, Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, reiterated MWUN’s commitment to ongoing collaboration with all stakeholders for the industry’s benefit.
Earlier, Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the NSC, credited the achievement to the exemplary leadership of Adegboyega Oyetola and commended the leaders of MWUN and SACFEA.
Akutah noted that the success reflects Oyetola’s dedication to worker welfare and praised the ministry’s progress through effective teamwork and collaboration.
In April, MWUN announced it had reached an agreement with shipping industry employers on minimum wage standards, concluding over two decades of negotiation struggles.
Previously, MWUN had declared a state of emergency in the maritime sector due to numerous unsuccessful attempts to secure better welfare and working conditions for its members.
