Total shutdown imminent at ports as Maritime Workers begins strike Wednesday
Unless there is a fruitful intervention by relevant stakeholders’ today, all is set for resumption of a nationwide strike on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 by the members of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).
Recall that the body had earlier given a two-week strike ultimatum issued on June 13 over the non-payment of stevedoring contractors.
Industry analysts say if the strike goes ahead, there will be a total shutdown of operations at the ports which will translate to loss of both personal and national income at a time the government is facing shortage of money to run the country.
In an interview, the President-General of MWUN, Comrade Abdul-Waheed Adeyanju, noted that the leadership of the union has directed that members of the union should totally withdraw their services throughout the nation’s seaports, effective from 06.00 hours on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.
According to since June 28, when the ultimatum expired, the union had no sign of moves to address their demand hence the final notice for the strike.
Besides, he revealed that all official communication to both local and international bodies for the strike including notice to the International Oil Companies (IOCs) had been made.
He further recalled that the union had given a two-week ultimatum on June 13 pleading with the Federal Government to urge IOCs to pay government-appointed stevedoring contractor monies being owed.
Besides, “The Union had urged the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transport to look into the issue so that dockworkers could be paid their salaries and wages. But with the established failure to pay government-appointed stevedoring contractors for jobs done, the Union was left with no other options than to abandon work, until workers are paid their entitlements,” Adeyanju averred.
