Maritime unions mobilise port workers for nationwide strike

• The strike action is called at the instance of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress
• Nigerians have been living in hardship after the government removed petrol subsidy

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has started mobilising port workers for the indefinite strike scheduled to commence on Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023.

The strike action is called at the instance of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), over the government failure to address workers’ concerns on how to ease the financial burden of Nigerians.

WITHIN NIGERIA reports that Nigerians have been living in hardship after the government removed petrol subsidy and a free fall of the naira currency, leading to a sharp devaluation of the local money.

Inflation in the country has, however, risen to 25 percent while fuel costs have tripled since the President ended the subsidy in May calling the move part of necessary reforms to improve a struggling economy.

However, MWUN in a circular issued by the deputy secretary general of the union, Comrade Oniha Erazua, directed the branch presidents and district heads to mobilise its members across its four branches to halt port operations nationwide starting from Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023.

The four branches, according to the MWUN, are, Shipping; Seafarers’; Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Dockworkers.

The circular further urges members to initiate the mobilisation and to ensure full compliance with the NLC’s directives

The circular titled, Notice Of Indefinite Nationwide Strike, read, “the attached self-explanatory circular dated 26th Sept , 2023 issued to all affiliates by the Nigeria Labour Congress on the above subject refers. As a staunch affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), our union- Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria shall fully participate in the indefinite strike action which shall commence effective Tuesday 3rd Oct,2023.

“Consequently, you are hereby directed to commence mobilisation of all the district and unit officials to ensure total compliance of the directive,” the circular read.