By Uzor Odigbo
The Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) has down tools at the eastern ports. They are protesting the sack and alleged assault melted out to over 500 of its members working at the Integrated Logistics Limited (INTELS) and Associated Maritime Service (AMS) Limited.
The union stated that the two companies did not only sack its members but also maltreated them as many of the workers were beaten up by security operatives attached to the two companies, while stating that many of the workers were in the hospital receiving treatment.
According to the press statement issued by the union and signed by the Secretary General, Felix Akingboye, the union described the sack of the workers as the height of the anti-labour practices by the two companies.
The union explained that the two companies sacked the workers on Friday December 4, 2020 in the midst of negotiations with the two companies over improved welfare and the condition of service of the workers.
The union lamented that rather for the companies to abide with the plans, they instead issued sack letters to the workers, while the union was having its National Executive Council meeting on Friday December 4, 2020.
“We wrote to the two managements to withdraw the redundancy letters for us to resume negotiations in a peaceful and harmonious environment. They did not only refuse, but follow up the redundancy letters by locking out our members on Monday December 7, 2020.
“To further worsen the situation, they unleashed armed security operatives, including Soldiers and Policemen on the Union members and inflicted various degrees of injuries on our members.”