Nigeria’s Maritime Workers’ Union (MWUN) has criticised what it described as the persistent casualisation of labour in the country’s shipping sector, accusing employers of undermining labour laws and exploiting workers through outsourcing arrangements.
In a statement, MWUN said employers in the maritime industry were increasingly outsourcing core operational roles to third-party contractors, a practice the union said amounted to casual labour under a different name. The statement was signed by the union’s Head of Media, John Ikemefuna.
The President of MWUN’s Shipping Branch, Olufemi Abass, said the trend reflected a “slave-driven ideology” that prioritised corporate profit over workers’ welfare and dignity. He accused some shipping companies and terminal operators of deliberately bypassing labour regulations by engaging contractors who pay workers poorly and deny them basic employment rights.
“What these categories of employers are doing is outsourcing workers to contractors who offer peanuts,” Abass said. “This is a deliberate extension of casual labour practices in the industry, carried out without regard for labour regulations.”
Abass said the shipping sector had long been characterised by what he described as cruel and dehumanising labour practices, warning that such actions violated both local and international labour standards. He added that employers were also working to weaken the presence of trade unions in the industry as part of efforts to entrench these practices.
According to the union, casualisation has led to the steady erosion of permanent employment in the maritime sector, leaving many workers without job security, pensions, healthcare, or other benefits typically associated with full-time work. MWUN said casual workers are often dismissed without compensation and face difficulties organising or accessing union protection.
The union warned that it would no longer tolerate what it called “industrial manipulation” of workers and said the issue would be escalated to MWUN’s national leadership for decisive action.
“The time to act against this ugly trend is now,” Abass said, adding that strict measures would be taken against employers found to be engaging in unethical labour practices, with the aim of improving working and living conditions across the sector.
Casualisation is widespread in Nigeria’s ports and shipping operations, where workers are often employed on temporary or short-term contracts despite performing essential functions. Labour unions have repeatedly called on employers and regulators to end the practice, arguing that it undermines decent work standards and exposes workers to exploitation.
MWUN said it would continue to engage stakeholders and policymakers to push for stronger enforcement of labour laws and the protection of workers’ rights in the maritime industry.
