The leadership of Martine Workers Union Of Nigeria (MWUN) has brought to the fore, issues faced as a union to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), for necessary attention and kind action.
The President General of Maritime Workers Union Of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Prince , Waheed Adewale Adeyanju had recently made known some issues the union has been facing for quite some time which requires a go ahead from the larger body for proper action.
Prince Adeyanju highlighted some of this issues during a recent courtesy call of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to the MWUN secretariat in Lagos.
Comrade Adeyanju who welcome the NLC president, Comrade Joseph Ajaero and his entourage to it’s secretariat on behalf of MWUN, also congratulates the NLC president on account of his new role as President of the Labour Congress.
Comrade Adeyanju disclosed that his visit to MWUN is well appreciated as his skills will without doubt restore Maritime workers movement to its right place in the scheme of the nation’s polity.
Adeyanju hinted that even though it is not easy a task to attain leadership role but he can be assured of MWUN commitment and unwavering support for his administration and the vision of hope he brought to the Nigerian working class and allies.
He however explain that the International Oil Companies (IOCs) refused to obey government Marine Notice of 2014 and Extant Stevedoring Regulations.
Adding that the government also refused to pay aged seafarers monthly pension inspire of court ruling. And the government failure to restore registered onboard ship gangway security and tally men.
He fumed over lack of minimum standard condition of service is put in place for members in the shipping sector as it obtains for the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dock Labour and Seafarers.
According to him, the union had written to the Ministry of Labour since August 2021 but that nothing has been done even up till the present time.
Responding to Prince Adeyanju submission, Comrade Joseph Ajaero
directed the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to shut down Nigeria’s ports and terminals over lingering unresolved issues with operators and government agencies in the sector.
Ajaero directed that MWUN to write the Ministries of Labour and Transportation and to issue two weeks ultimatum over the myriads of issues saying failure to take action, the labour union should picket the industry.
He stated that he had no sympathy for any employer who did not have the interest of the workers at heart, even as he asked the maritime union leaders to issue two weeks ultimatum to the ministries of Labour and Transportation and thereafter shut the port if their demands were not met.
According to Ajaero the national labour union would provide adequate supports to the union to shut the port.
He said, “Articulate the bullet points to the minister of Labour. If it is possible, give them two weeks ultimatum from now because nobody will accuse you of not being patient since 2021 till now
“I as the president of NLC, I don’t have sympathy for anybody for toying with interest of workers. Show them the letter and shut the port and let the ministry of transportation and labour do their work
“If they fail to follow suit, we will support you. The people cannot be seen violating the law. Every illegal action requires illegal response. What the law requires is to be notified but you have sent letters since 2021.
“There is need for us to act now.
“We are standing behind you as a labour movement because if there is a union that stands with the NLC, it is MWUN.
What I want to hear is action because we have suffered.”
To this effect President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju promised that the union would spring into action with immediate effect.
Adeyanju stated that he was not as gentle as he might seem when it come to welfare of workers but only required the signature of the national body to take the long-awaited action.
