Chaos In NLNG As Seafarers Protest 50% Salary Slash

The protest follows a mail sent to the group by the company, directing all Seafarers to sign and comply with the cut within seven days or risk losing their jobs.

The group during an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja, lamented that the cut is to take effect from September 1.

According to them, the manner at which they were informed was simply unjust, inhumane and partial.

While decrying the proposed slash, the group said “the cut is a modern day slavery considering the hazards of the job, risks on the high sea, near death experiences, to couple it up with the recent level of inflation in the country.”

Mr John Clark, a member of the group noted that they deserved a better treatment and consideration after two years of rigorous training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), and another three years study in the UK.

The Seafarers explained that efforts to discuss with top management of NSML on Tuesday, ended at a deadlock as the company is determined to lay them off and employ cheap third-world officers.

Mr Titus Aligwe, revealed that Seafarers of other nationalities within NSML were affected by only 20 per cent cut, which means giving them better consideration above indigenous staff.

He said that the Seafarers of other nationalities which includes Indians, Pakistanis, Russians, Croatians, among others were also challenging the wage cut.

Lamenting the course, they explained that the proposed 50 per cent salary cut would subject them to earn far below their other counterparts in other companies.

Also speaking to NAN, Mr Peter Tobori explained that rather than salary cuts, they deserved an upward wage review which the company has failed to live up to its mandate since its inception in 2009.

“We never raised issues over an upward review of pay, not forgetting the fact that our efforts and services have generated great revenue to the economy and recorded milestones for NLNG.”