Workers in the maritime industry have been directed to down tools and proceed on an indefinite strike commencing on Monday over an unresolved lingering face-off between shipping companies and the workers’ union over poor pay and deplorable working conditions.
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), which issued the directive on Thursday, accused the shipping companies of foot-dragging on organised labour’s proposals to raise the minimum standard for workers’ welfare since 2018.
Addressing the media on Thursday, President-General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju said the shipping companies, mostly multinationals, ignored several ultimatums and interventions of the immediate-past Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo over the matter.
Adeyanju noted that the working conditions of workers in the shipping industry were akin to modern-day slavery, stressing that the union would no longer allow the shipping companies to toy with the welfare of their workers.
If observed, the strike is expected to cripple business activities at the nation’s seaports.