Transportation Minister Broker Peace, As MWUN Suspends Ultimatum Issued Shipping Companies
Minister of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo (left) and the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Following the intervention of the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo through the Nigerian Shippers Council, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have suspended it’s earlier
7-days ultimatum issued to Shipping Companies in Nigeria over poor remuneration of their workers.
MWUN had earlier issued a 7-day strike notice to shipping companies in Nigeria over alleged anti-labour practices including poor salaries, retirement benefits and poor working conditions.
The union threatened to cripple the operations of the shipping companies at the expiration of the ultimatum if its grievances were not addressed.
According to MWUN, the ultimatum, which took effect from Thursday 17 February 2023, was to compel the shipping lines to sign a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the union, failing which workers would withdraw their services from the companies.
The President-General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, said while other branches of MWUN had existing CBA with their employers, the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) – the umbrella body for multinational shipping companies operating in the country was dodging its responsibility by asking workers to go and negotiate individually with their employers.
However in a press statement issued on Wednesday, the union announced the suspension of the ultimatum, ascribing it’s action to the intervention of the transportation minister through the Nigerian Shippers Council.
“The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria under the aegis of the President General, Comrade (Prince) Adewale Adeyanju has suspended the seven (7) day ultimatum for the refusal of Employers of labour in the shipping sector to negotiate the minimum standard for shipping labour industry.
“The suspension of the ultimatum by the Union is coming on the heels of Nigeria Shippers Council intervention on the said matter who has given strong indication to the Union on resolving the issue.
“The Ministry of Transport through the Nigeria Shippers Council has intervened and has called for a meeting scheduled for 13* April, 2023 to hold at the Nigeria Shippers Council in Lagos” the statement reads
