After nearly 20 years of back-and-forth negotiations, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Shipping Agencies Employers Association (SACFEA) have finally reached a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), introducing a N200,000 minimum wage for shipping workers.

This development comes at a time when only a few state governors have expressed readiness to pay the N70,000 national minimum wage signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at 10 major things you should know about the new minimum wage for shipping workers.

1.Historical Agreement

The deal represents a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s shipping industry, marking the end of nearly two decades of fruitless negotiations aimed at improving workers’ conditions and pay.

2.Parties Involved

The key parties involved in the agreement are the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Shipping Agencies Employers Association (SACFEA).

3.Role of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC)

The contribution of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in setting the new minimum wage for shipping workers cannot be overstated, as the body played a vital role in brokering the deal, facilitating discussions, and helping both parties reach an agreeable framework.

4.Government Endorsement

It is also noteworthy that the new minimum wage for shipping workers has received government endorsement and approval. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, expressed the government’s strong support for the agreement, stating that it reflects a commitment to workers’ rights and welfare in the maritime sector.

5.Standardised Conditions

For the first time, shipping industry workers in Nigeria will benefit from uniform standards for wages, benefits, and working conditions, creating a level playing field that prevents exploitation and ensures fairness.

6.Key Attendees

Key figures such as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CEOs of major Nigerian shipping companies, MWUN President-General Prince Adewale Adeyanju, Union Secretary-General Felix Akingboye, and other MWUN officials attended the signing ceremony which took place in Lagos on Saturday, 24thAugust, 2024.

7.Regular Wage Reviews

The agreed minimum wage of N200,000 will be subject to review every two years to ensure it remains aligned with inflation and the economic realities of the country.

8.Significant Milestone

MWUN President-General, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, described the agreement as a ‘significant milestone’ in the union’s efforts to end unfair labour practices, emphasising that it is a crucial step towards achieving better working conditions for employees.

9.Focus on Safety and Health

The agreement not only addresses wages but also prioritises workplace safety and health standards, requiring employers to provide the necessary training and resources to protect workers.

10.Highest in Any Industry in the Nation

While speaking at the document signing ceremony, the President of SACFEA, Mrs Boma Alabi (SAN), stated that the new minimum wage for shipping workers will be the highest of any industry across Nigeria. (Nigerian Tribune)

•Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Akutah Pius Ukeyima (left) and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, during the signing of a landmark agreement on minimum standards of condition of service for workers in the shipping industry between the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Shipping, Shipping Agencies, Clearing and Forwarding Employers Association (SACFEA) in Lagos on Friday.