Seafarers of the NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML), a subsidiary of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), have decried the proposed 50 per cent cut in salary. According to the Seafarers, the protest was in reaction to the mail signed by the Crewing Manager, on behalf of NSML management requiring Nigerian Seafarersto sign and comply with aproposed 50 per cent salary cut within seven days or risk losing their jobs.The arbitrarysalary slash expected to take effect from Sept. 1 2016.
The Seafarer’s basis for disagreement was further steeped in the fact that Seafarers of other nationalities including Indians, Malaysians, Pakistanis, Russians, Croatians, among others are also challenging the 20 per cent wage cut levied on them by NSML management too. Why should Nigerian Seafarers earn lower than their foreign colleagues?
The protesting Seafarer’s group argue management’sproposal is tantamount to modern day slavery considering their years of rigorous training at Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), and another three years study in the UK. Efforts to discuss with NSML managementon Tuesday August 9 2016, ended in a deadlock with the company determined to layNigerian Seafarers off in favour of employing cheap third-world officers.And while NSML management is pressing on with their proposed salary cut,non-seafaring and office based staff at NSML,NLNG and Bonny Gas Transport (BGT)were not affected at all.
The agitated seafaring group have taken to the media to air their plight and call on the Federal Government to intervene and put an end to the unjust proposed wage cut which could kill dreams of achieving the Nigerianization plan which is committed to ensure that Nigerian seafarers engaged are well represented on board BGT and NLNG Chartered Vessels.They are deeply concerned the NSML is headed way of moribund as the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) and something ought to be done to halt the inimical trend.
It noted that the wage reduction would take effect from Sept. 1
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