There is some chaos in the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) over a slash in seafarers’ salary – The seafarers stormed Abuja to protest what has been termed an “evil pay cut” – The seafarers’ salary was slashed by 50 percent A subsidiary of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) known as the Seafarers of the NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML) have decried a proposed 50 per cent cut in salary.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a group representing the seafarers made this known in Abuja on Wednesday, August 10. According to them, the protest was a reaction to a mail sent to them by the company mandating all Seafarers to sign and comply with the cut within seven days or risk losing their jobs. Condemning the drastic salary slash which is to take effect from September 1, and the manner at which they were informed, they described the act as being unjust, inhumane and partial. They argued that against the reasons of economic realities by the company for the salary slash, they also have to contend with the increase in the means of livelihood and the current level of inflation in the country

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. Aligwe further disclosedd that their office based colleagues at NSML, NLNG and Bonny Gas Transport (BGT) were not affected at all. 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 forgettingthe fact that our efforts and services have generated great revenue to the economy and recorded milestones for NLNG. “NSML have over the years charged a 20 per cent mark-up to NLNG on Nigerian Officers’ salaries and 5 per cent on non-Nigerian Officers, and rather salaries cut, why wont NSML consider reducing its mark-up. “NSML is supposed to be a non-profit making organisation,” Tobori said. According to the seafarers, the newly proposed earning would amount to modern day slavery considering the harzards of the job, risks on the high sea, near death experiences, lonliness, isolation, amongst others. Mr John Clark, 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.

According to them this would kill the dreams to achieving the Nigerianization plan committed to ensure that Nigerian seafarers engaged are well represented on board BGT and NLNG Chartered Vessels. They said that if caution is thrown to the wind, NSML would be headed same path of moribund as the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL). READ ALSO: Niger Delta militants seize a ship, unveil new target The agitated group who have taken to the media to air their plights is calling on the Federal Government to intervene and put an end to the unjust proposed wage cut. In the mail signed by Mr Kennedy Agbonkhese, crewing manager, on behalf of the company, Seafarers are required to sign the copy of the wage cut letter within one week. Stated in the mail, the reduction was in view of the revised Bonny Gas Transport (BGT) wages rate to be implemented by all NSML Shipboard personnel. It noted that the wage reduction would take effect from Thursday, September 1.

https://www.naij.com/923833-controversy-tension-in-nlng-as-seafarers-launch-massive-protest-over-evil-pay-cut.html

It is well ooooooo.
Lala u nid to c ds

Bad timing.