October 25, (THEWILL) – The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the aegis of the President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has directed that the initial suspended strike action be resuscitated on Monday, October 30, 2023.
THEWILL gathered that the other three branches of the Union, namely: Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dockworkers, and the Seafarers will likely join their colleagues in the strike action to show solidarity
The intention of the union was contained in an official statement issued on Wednesday, and signed by the MWUN Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna.
This directive is coming on the heels of the alleged failure of the Shipping Employers representative towards the negotiation of the minimum standard condition of service (NJIC) for the shipping sector.
It would be recalled that the former Minister of Transportation’s intervention necessitated the suspension of the indefinite strike action billed for Monday, June 5, 2023.
The Minister also commissioned a constituted technical committee comprising of the Union and Shipping Employers to harmonise the Union’s demands after the three meetings held could not resolve the protracted Minimum Standard Condition of Service (NJIC) issue with the Union.
In the statement, MWUN stated, “It is worthy to note also that when a truce was almost in sight, the representatives of the Shipping Employers at the negotiation table began to develop a lackadaisical attitude towards the entire exercise, which gave them away as lacking the mandate to take decisions; their cold feet on the matter subsequently led to the collapse of the negotiation.
“Flowing from the above, we as a Union have reiterated that the Shipping Branch of the Union will commence the suspended indefinite action throughout the nation’s port formations after the expiration of the renewed seven-day ultimatum issued.”
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
