By Becky Usman

In response to unsatisfactory wages and alleged deplorable working conditions, employees of shipping companies in all port formations have embarked on an indefinite strike as directed by the leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).

The strike has also extended to dry ports, jetties, terminals, and other relevant locations. If the grievances of the workers are not addressed, dockworkers, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) workers, and Seamen/Nigerian Inland Water Ways (NIWA) and Water Transportation employees are expected to join the strike in solidarity starting tomorrow.

In an attempt to avert a complete shutdown of the country’s ports, the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has called for a stakeholders’ meeting today. The meeting, scheduled for 8:30 am, is being held at the NSC premises.

During a crucial meeting between MWUN leaders, officials of the Shipping branch of MWUN, and plant officials from each shipping company, it was agreed that regardless of the NSC meeting, all operations of shipping companies must cease from today until further notice.

Last Thursday, President General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, stated in a press briefing in Lagos that the strike was a result of inadequate compensation for workers and the refusal of shipping companies operating in Nigeria to agree on minimum standards for working conditions and staff remuneration.

Adeyanju expressed his dissatisfaction with the NSC’s apparent lack of control and regulatory authority over shipping companies that have disregarded government interventions on this matter.

He explained, “The former Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, had directed the NSC to facilitate negotiations between MWUN and the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN). There have been numerous meetings at the NSC’s request, but the SAN’s attitude is unacceptable.”

He further added, “We attended a meeting on Wednesday, which did not yield positive results. This is an embarrassment to us and even to the Ministry of Transportation, which initiated the meeting. The remuneration in the Shipping sector is akin to a death sentence, and the SAN is shirking its responsibility.”

Adeyanju emphasized that the stakeholders were well aware of the situation, and despite issuing previous ultimatums and attempts at dialogue, the shipping companies have failed to implement a minimum standard for their workers.

“The former Minister did not make a mistake by entrusting the negotiation process to the Shippers Council, an economic regulator. It is the indifferent attitude of the SAN that has led us to take this step,” Adeyanju concluded.