Industrial Court Orders Firm to Pay Seafarers ₦24.5m Unpaid Wages Within 7 Days

The National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos has ordered Delta Marine Shipping Company to pay three seafarers, Mr Akegor, Mr Lambert, and Mr John, the sum of N24.5 million in unpaid wages owed for services rendered between April 2019 and June 2021.

The court, presided over by Hon. Justice (Dr.) Isaac Essien of the Lagos Judicial Division, also awarded costs of N1 million against the shipping company for failing to defend the claims brought before it.

The three crew members had approached the court seeking payment of outstanding salaries earned while working onboard the vessel MT. Favour under their respective employment contracts.

They told the court that they had faithfully carried out their responsibilities as seafarers but were not paid their wages for the period covering April 2019 to June 2021, despite repeated efforts to recover the outstanding payments.

According to the claimants, they sent several letters of complaint and reminders to the Managing Director of Delta Marine Shipping Company as well as the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), but their demands were not addressed.

The company, however, failed to enter an appearance or file any defence to the claims. It also failed to cross-examine the claimants’ sole witness, leading the court to close its opportunity to challenge the evidence presented or mount a defence.

In his judgment, Justice Essien held that the evidence submitted by the three seafarers, including their employment contracts, seamen’s records, certificates of discharge, complaint letters, and schedules of outstanding salaries, remained unchallenged and uncontroverted.

The court ruled that the documents sufficiently established the claimants’ entitlement to recover their unpaid wages from Delta Marine Shipping Company.

Justice Essien further held that the three seafarers had successfully discharged the burden of proof required of them and were entitled to judgment for the outstanding salaries owed for their services onboard MT. Favour during the period in question.

The court directed Delta Marine Shipping Company to pay the N24.5 million owed within seven days.

… Industrial Court Orders Firm to Pay Seafarers ₦24.5m Unpaid Wages Within 7 Days … Naijaonpoint.