Expired NJIC exposes seafarers to risks, NIMASA, MWUN raise alarm

Stanley Ihedigbo

Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have jointly called for the urgent review of the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) agreement for seafarers, stressing that the current situation has exposed maritime workers to poor working conditions and unfair labour practices.

According to the Head of Media, MWUN, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, the agencies noted that the expiration of the NJIC has weakened enforcement of agreed labour standards, thereby creating room for arbitrary employment practices.

They warned that this has also placed responsible ship owners at a competitive disadvantage, as compliance with best labour standards is no longer uniformly enforced across the industry.

According to the stakeholders, the review of the NJIC is not merely procedural but a critical necessity that must reflect present realities, including international best practices and the unique operational challenges faced by Nigerian seafarers working in coastal, offshore, and fishery operations.

They further observed that the absence of an updated NJIC framework has continued to undermine standard working conditions for seafarers, while weakening regulatory enforcement mechanisms that are essential for maintaining order and fairness in the sector.

Speaking on the importance of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), the President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, described the CBA as the cornerstone of industrial peace and productivity in the maritime industry.

He urged that CBAs be made a compulsory part of compliance requirements for ship owners, including during renewal of operating certificates and vessel re-registration processes.

Comrade Bunu also stressed that pension remittance for seafarers must no longer be treated as optional. He called on NIMASA, in collaboration with other relevant regulatory agencies, to ensure strict enforcement of mandatory pension remittances for all seafarers operating within Nigeria’s coastal, offshore, and fishery sectors.

The MWUN President-General also advocated for a meaningful review of the NJIC that goes beyond documentation, urging the establishment of a standing committee dedicated to monitoring compliance with NJIC provisions across the industry.

He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to dialogue, partnership, and sustainable progress in the maritime sector, expressing confidence that through inclusiveness, fairness, and strict enforcement of standards, Nigeria can build a maritime industry that meets global benchmarks while safeguarding its most valuable asset — its workforce.

The union maintained that strengthening labour frameworks and enforcement mechanisms will enhance productivity, promote industrial harmony, and improve Nigeria’s standing in the global maritime space.