Maritime workers issue 2-week ultimatum over welfare

The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the federal government through the Ministries of Transportation over workers welfare.

The President-General of the union, Adewale Adeyanju, while disclosing the challenges faced by the union to the President of NLC Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Lagos,  noted that the the government refused to pay aged seafarers monthly pensions.

The ultimatum which is starting on Monday March 6, Comrade Adeyanju  explained that  the International Oil Companies (IOCs) refused to obey government Marine Notice of 2014 and Extant Stevedoring Regulations.

He said the government failed to restore registered onboard ship gangway security and tally men even as he condemned the lack of minimum standard conditions of service for members in the shipping sector as it obtains for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), dock labour and seafarers.

While commenting on the issues, the NLC boss lamented that the union should  convey 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.

“As the president of NLC, I don’t have sympathy for anybody for toying with the interest of workers. Show them the letter and shut the port and let the Ministry of Transportation and Labour do their work.”