The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) brokered by he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to promote industrial harmony between the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and relevant maritime organisations has barely recorded a 70 per cent compliance.
The CBA proffers renumeration and welfare standards for workers under the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria under shipping, seafaring, docklabour and the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Investigation by the Online Maritime Media Association of Nigeria (OMMAN) revealed that about 30 per cent of companies operating in the sector have failed to comply with the agreement. It was also discovered that some workers expected to benefit from the CBA failed to meet the required professional standards.
Confirming the development, a credible NIMASA source told OMMAN correspondents that while only 70 per cent compliance has been achieved, some companies have fully complied with the agreement.
“We have achieved only 70 per cent CBA compliance,” the source said. “However, we are pleased to note that some companies have attained 100 per cent compliance, including Melsmore Marine Services Ltd.”
OMMAN further observed that while the MWUN leadership has been working to improve workers’ welfare, some workers were found to have discrepancies, including failure to renew expired certificates and, in some cases, presenting forged documents.
It was revealed that the discovery of fake certificates limited the Union’s ability to fully defend certain affected workers.
Meanwhile, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria described the level of compliance with the CBA in Nigeria’s maritime sector as “not commendable,” accusing NIMASA of failing to enforce mandatory adoption across the industry.
Speaking exclusively to OMMAN on the state of labour standards in the sector, MWUN President, Comrade Francis Bunu, stated that although the Union continues to engage employers, the maritime regulator must demonstrate stronger leadership by making the CBA a compulsory requirement for the renewal of operating licences for companies in the sector.
According to the Union, provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) require that every employer of seafarers must operate under a valid CBA. MWUN argued that NIMASA should incorporate proof of a valid CBA into its licensing requirements for companies that own and operate vessels within Nigerian waters.
“Until NIMASA makes having a CBA as important as having an operational licence, we will continue to see poor treatment of seafarers, low remuneration, and unprofessional practices,” the Union stated.
The MWUN President-General explained that each of the Union’s branches - Dockworkers, Seafarers, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and Shipping - operates under sector-specific CBAs tailored to their unique responsibilities.
The agreements, recognised by government, labour, and industry stakeholders, are considered critical operational requirements in the maritime industry. The Union disclosed that it has commenced a review of existing CBAs, with one sector already undergoing updates to address emerging realities.
While most sectors now have functional CBAs, MWUN lamented that several companies operating within Nigerian waters have refused to adopt them. The Union said it is actively identifying such firms and compelling compliance.
On the level of compliance, the Union described the adoption rate among companies outside its direct membership as “abysmal.”
“When you compare the number of companies operating in the industry with those that have complied, it is not commendable. It is practically zero,” MWUN stated.
The Union maintained that companies aligned with MWUN are fully compliant and have recorded positive outcomes, including improved professionalism, enhanced worker welfare, and job security. However, it is alleged that many other operators continue to evade union presence and operate outside agreed standards.
“The CBA is law. No company should operate on Nigerian waters without complying with federal regulations,” the Union emphasised.
Responding to speculation that the CBA may have contributed to layoffs at Melsmore Marine Nigeria Limited, MWUN rejected claims that the agreement was counterproductive.
“No trade union negotiates the welfare of its members downward; we always negotiate upward,” the Union stated.
It cited salary improvements at Melsmore, where an Able Seaman (AB) reportedly earned N240,000 monthly before the CBA but now earns significantly more. Similarly, at World Carrier Marine Services, AB salaries reportedly increased from N450,000 to over N1 million following the CBA agreement.
MWUN clarified that the Melsmore CBA was negotiated jointly by NIMASA, the Union, and the company’s management, not by the Union alone. It attributed some of the layoffs to lack of required documentation and, in certain cases, fake certificates.
“The maritime industry has standards. If a worker lacks proper certification, the Union will not support illegality,” MWUN stated, adding that workers with valid documentation remain employed and are satisfied with improved welfare conditions.
The Union admitted that a recurring challenge during enforcement exercises is the discovery of workers without proper certification or those who have failed to upgrade their qualifications.
“It is common across the industry. Some workers have not improved themselves for over 20 years,” MWUN noted, urging maritime professionals to pursue career advancement and maintain valid certifications.
MWUN further disclosed that several non-compliant firms have been identified, including Timile in Warri. While some of its vessels involved in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) operations are reportedly compliant, those operating within Nigerian waters allegedly lack CBA coverage.
The Union stated that NIMASA has written to the company and that further engagement is imminent. It added that other operators have voluntarily initiated discussions toward compliance, acknowledging the binding nature of the agreement.
“These are businessmen focused on profit. Where enforcement is weak, they exploit the gaps. That is why NIMASA must lead,” the Union stated.
As part of ongoing reforms, MWUN revealed that a comprehensive review of the CBA framework will commence in the coming weeks to address identified gaps and improve its applicability within the Nigerian maritime sector.
However, the Union maintained that meaningful progress depends on regulatory enforcement.
“The only way every company will comply is if NIMASA requires a valid CBA as a condition for licence renewal. The regulator must take the lead,” MWUN concluded.
