MWUN seeks jail terms for employers using workers as casuals

Comrade Abdulwaheed Adeyanju, President General of MWUN, made the call in his opening speech at the opening ceremony of the union’s annual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos.

His words, “Casualisation is a disease inimical to the well being of any worker. Unfortunately, it has become endemic in our country, almost becoming the norm.

“Comrades, Casualisation in whatever guise is evil and diminishes the rights of working people. We call on governmemt to outlaw and forbid the use of workers as casuals while prescribing jail terms for any one found practising casualisation.

The union also called on the Federal Government to force the contractors handling the dredging of Calabar ports back to site.

He maintained that Calabar port could serve as alternative to  the already congested Lagos ports.

He described the failure to dredge the port as unfair, saying it has denied members of the union in Calabar the opportunity of employment.

“We feel confused in reports reaching us which points to the fact that decades after the award of a contract to dredge the Calabar ports, literally, nothing has been done till date.

“This is not only unfair to our members in Calabar port who have been consistently denied of employment opportunities but also in opposite to government’s avowed policy of creating work for its citizenry.

Adeyanju in his welcome speech tasked the Federal governmemt to expand facilities and capacities of all Nigerian ports, saying statistics show that the Lagos ports are under intense pressure with port facilities and personnel overstretched.

“To ease this situation, we call on the Federal Government to initiate and compel the immediate expansion of other ports in Nigeria, not only in terms of land space but also in terms of provision and procurement of port operational machineries, the aim being to bring these ports to function at maximal capacity.

On achievements made so far by the union within the period under review, Adeyanju stated that the union under his leadership renovated the union secretariat to a befitting state and expected standard.

According to him, MWUN initiated action to build the annex secretariat which has been demolished ahead of the commencement of the erection of a modern two story building office complex.

Others include; negotiation and conclusion of final payment of severance package to Tally Clerk and On-board ship security, gangway men at ports and jetties.

Initiation of talks on payment of pensions to aged seafarers with various authorities concerned, saying talks have reached appreciable level, among other achievements.

According to him, shipping companies demand much from employees but pay peanut as wages.

On casualisation of workers, Adeyanju sought synergy with Nigerian Labour Congress to rid the maritime industry of such illegalities