The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has taken the decision to initiate an indefinite nationwide strike starting from Monday, citing longstanding grievances with shipping companies regarding the inadequate compensation and welfare of employees.
The President-General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, expressed deep concern during a press briefing on Thursday, stating that the organized labor has been engaged in a protracted struggle with shipping companies since 2018, with no resolution in sight.
Despite numerous ultimatums and interventions by the former Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, the shipping companies, primarily multinational corporations, have shown a refusal to address the issues at hand.
Prince Adeyanju expressed dismay over the working conditions within Nigeria’s shipping industry, likening them to modern-day slavery.
Prince Adeyanju issued a stern warning, declaring that the Union would not hesitate to call for a complete shutdown of port operations in solidarity with the affected workers, including those from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), dockworkers, and NIWA/Seamen and Water transportation employees.
Emphasizing the principle of “an injury to one is an injury to all,” he conveyed the Union’s dissatisfaction with the apathetic stance of shipping companies in addressing the welfare and service conditions of MWUN members in the shipping sector.
The immediate past Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, had previously directed the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) to facilitate a collective bargaining meeting between MWUN and all shipping companies in Nigeria.
The objective was to establish a minimum standard or a framework for the industry. Unfortunately, despite several meetings organized by the NSC, the representatives of the shipping companies intentionally obstructed the negotiation process, claiming a lack of mandate from their principals and insisting on maintaining the status quo.
In light of these developments and the evident reluctance of shipping employers to engage in meaningful negotiations regarding the minimum standard and conditions of service for MWUN members, the Union has no choice but to revive the previous seven-day ultimatum issued to shipping employers in the sector.
Consequently, MWUN has instructed its members, including dockworkers, seafarers, and NPA employees, to cease their services at all ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms across the nation starting from Monday, June 5, 2023, until further notice.