By Uzor Odigbo
All maritime related government offices, ports, terminals and jetties in Nigeria may be shut next Tuesday as the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has agreed to join the nationwide strike jointly promoted by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The union in a press release by John Kennedy Ikemefuna, its Head of Media said it will commence strike by midnight, Tuesday November 14, 2023.
The union’s action is a fallout of recent assault on Joe Ajaero, the NLC President in Imo State
According to Ikemefuna, “This decision by the NLC and TUC is prompted by a series of infractions and encroachments on the rights of workers in Imo State and the distressing and appalling acts of violence and bloodshed inflicted upon the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and other Unions’ officials by the Imo State government in collaboration with the Nigerian Police, Imo State Command.
“The joint communique signed by Comrade (Prince) Dr Adewale Adeyanju, President-General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), who doubles as Deputy President of NLC with Comrade Festus Osifo, President of TUC which further directs that in the event that Labours’ demands are unmet, workers all over the federation shall join in withdrawing their services by midnight of Tuesday, the 14th of November, 2023.
“Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria as an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress; its President -General, Comrade Adeyanju has directed that all members of the Union should comply with the jointly signed communique to commence immediate and total mobilization to ensure MWUN participation in the nationwide strike on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023 is complied with indefinitely.”