Maritime workers declare indefinite strike

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has said it would resume its suspended strike in the shipping sector of the nation’s economy from October 30, 2023.

The President-General, Mr Adewale Adeyanju, in a statement through the Union’s Head of Media, Mr John Kennedy Ikemefuna, said the directive became necessary due to the unwillingness of the shipping companies’ representative towards the negotiation of a minimum standard condition of service for the sector.

Adeyanju said, “A technical committee comprising the union and shipping employers was also inaugurated by the minister to harmonise the union’s demands after three meetings held could not resolve the protracted Minimum Standard Condition of Service issue with the union.

“It is worthy of 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 toward the entire exercise.

“This gave them away as lacking the mandate to take decisions; their cold feet on the matter subsequently led to the collapse of the negotiation.”

He noted that the shipping branch of the union would commence the suspended indefinite action throughout the nation’s port formations after the expiration of the renewed seven-day ultimatum issued.

“The other three branches of the union, namely: Nigerian Ports Authority, dockworkers, and the seafarers will in solidarity join their colleagues in the strike action”, he stated.