Lagos Port Users Stranded As Maritime Workers Strike Takes Effect
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Port users at the Apapa port, Tin Can Island Port and others in Lagos have been shut-out of the port, even as all commercial activities have shutdown due the strike action embarked upon on Tuesday by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN)
The strike action is in compliance with the nationwide strike action declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)
At the Lagos port on Tuesday, port users were seen loitering around as the Nigerian Ports Authority gate has been shutdown. There is also heavy presence of police officers around the port.
The union had in a press statement on Monday warned that it will midnight, Tuesday 14, 2023, commence a nationwide strike.
According to the media officer of the union, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, the strike is coming on the instructions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held, Monday, November 13, 2023, directing all affiliates of the Congress to strictly comply.
“The NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) took this decision after their joint meeting in Abuja, which was prompted by a series of infractions and encroachments of the rights of workers, and the distressing incidents involving the abduction and assault on the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and other Unions’officials and the continued refusal of government to implement agreements, non-payment of backlog of salaries, pensions, descriminatory payment of salaries and non-compliance to national minimum wage.
“As an affiliate of the NLC, the MWUN is geared to commence the nationwide strike as directed by the NLC” Ikemefuna said
