NPA pays workers’ salary arrears to avert industrial action

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has taken steps to avert an industrial action by dockworkers under the aegis of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) over unpaid nine month arrears of salary owed Tally Clerks and On-board Security.
President General of MWUN, Comrade Anthony Nted, had issued a strike notice last weekend while addressing the aggrieved workers who staged a protest at the Dockworkers Branch of the union in Apapa and had warned that if NPA failed to pay the salary arrears, which he estimated at N700 million by end of October, the workers will withdraw their services.
In a press statement yesterday, NPA said it was committed to resolving all issues arising from the matter and as a demonstration of its commitment has “effected payment of 56% of scrutinized and audited bills” of the affected workers through their employers which are its labour contractors.

“Management wishes to state that the balance of the pending bills will be made on completion to the ongoing security and auditing which Management considers imperative in the circumstance.
Payments will thereafter be made to MWUN members through their employers,” the statement further said.
The NPA management however clarified that “the authority has never been the employer of dockworkers even though their activities impact its operations”.
The organisation appealed to both members and leadership of the MWUN to show more understanding on the issue.
Sources informed SHIPS & PORTS DAILY that representatives of NPA management met with the MWUN on early in the week to resolve the issue.



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