MWUN says palliatives should be given to members of the four branches of the union to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal
By Uzor Odigbo
Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has solicited support from government and private employers of labour in the shipping industry to provide some level of succour for members as part of measures to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal
MWUN in a statement signed by Head of Media, Comrade Kennedy Ikemefuna on Tuesday, expressed concerns about the recent economic downturn and hardship in the country, noting that members of the union are equally affected.
The statement noted that palliative incentives should be given to members of the four branches of the union, suggesting that a meeting between management and the union be convened to discuss the modalities and when to commence payment.
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The statement added that: “The leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of Comrade (Prince) Dr Adewale Adeyanju, fnli, HFCPSP, requests in the face of the recent economic reforms where the federal government had chosen a part of subsidy removal – a decision that has rippled the nation’s economic landscape, affecting every citizen, the industry and most especially the workforce that keeps maritime running.
“The Maritime Workers Union in the light of the aforesaid wish to demand with humility that MWUN be considered for payment of palliative incentives to our members to cushion the excruciating effects over the subsidy removal.
“There’s no gainsaying that the maritime industry is the fulcrum around which the nation’s economy revolves. This is knowing too well that products which fill our markets, the energy that propel our factories and resources that sustain our people flow through the maritime veins; yet, amidst this turbulent times, the maritime workforce has been left grappling with uncertainties battling dual challenges of the economic restructuring and the relentlessness at sea.
This is a situation that demands not just our empathy but with utmost encouragement.
“In view of the foregoing, MWUN humbly requests that palliative incentives be given our members. Hence, we as a Union suggests that a meeting of MANAGEMENT/UNION be convened to discuss the modalities and when to commence payment,” the statement added.
Similarly, in a chat with the President General MWUN Comrade Adewale Adeyanju on Monday in Lagos, congratulated the new Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola for the appointment.
Adeyanju also welcomed the newly appointed Minister of the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT), Hon. Sa’idu Alkali and Simon Lalong as Minister of Labour and Employment respectively.
According to him, the MWUN will partner the ministers to ensuring industrial peace and harmony at the nation’s seàports adding that the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC affiliate will engage them as at when due on the challenges affecting workers right and anti labour activities.
He also assured the ministers of the unions commitment to work harmoniously to ensure effective and efficient port operations