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Maritime Workers Begin Nationwide Strike On Monday

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Maritime Workers Begin Nationwide Strike On Monday

Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has directed workers to shut down all operations of shipping companies and begin an indefinite nationwide strike from Monday over a lingering dispute with shipping companies concerning the poor pay package and welfare of employees.

At a briefing, Thursday, the President-General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, lamented that since 2018 Organised Labour had been battling with the shipping companies on the minimum standard for shipping companies on the welfare of workers to no avail.

According to him, despite several ultimatums and interventions of the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, the Shipping companies, mostly multinationals, had refused to yield, expressing sadness that the working conditions of the workers in the nation’s shipping industry were nothing short of modern-day slavery.

He said after the initial 14-day ultimatum expired, a subsequent 7-day ultimatum was issued as a result of the conduct of the management of shipping companies.

He said: “Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) wish to bring to the attention of the general public it’s bewilderment at the non-challant altitude of shipping companies management to discuss and negotiate the welfare and condition of service of our members in the shipping industry. 

“This is in spite of several interventions and meetings which sought an amicable resolution of the unresolved welfare issues of our members in the shipping sector culminating in the issuance of a further 7-day ultimatum after the expiration of the previous 14-day ultimatum issued.” 

“Related to the above, the Hon Minister of Transportation in a bid to ensure peaceful industrial climate in the shipping sector had directed the management of Nigerian Shippers Council to spearhead a collective bargaining meeting between MWUN and all shipping companies in Nigeria. 

“Unfortunately, despite several meetings called at the instance of Shippers’ council I’m their premises, the shipping companies’ representatives deliberately forestalled the negotiations process citing a lack of mandate from their respective principals insisting on maintaining status-quo. 

“Consequently to the foregoing and the obvious unwillingness of the shipping employers to negotiate minimum standard and condition of service for our members in the shipping sector, MWUN is left with no option than to resuscitate the earlier-7 day ultimatum issues the shipping employers in the sector; and therefore withdraw the services of our members inclusive of our members in the Dock, Seafarers and NPA from all Potts, jetties, terminals and oil and gas platforms nationwide with effects from Monday 5th June 2023.”

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