Maritime Workers Union suspends planned industrial action against IOCs
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has suspended its plan to begin an industrial action to protest against International Oil Companies (IOCs) for non-compliance with regulations to accommodate operations of Nigerian stevedoring companies.
Ahead of the Tuesday March 1, 2022 fixed to commence the strike, the Union issued a statement on Monday, suspending the planned action.
The statement, jointly signed by the President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, and the Secretary General, Comrade Felix Akingboye, explained that the suspension of their planned strike was as a result of pleas for further deliberations.
The Union said that it considered the call for deliberations by the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority and that of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
The statement reads: “Following the 14 days’ notice given to the Federal Government of Nigeria on non-compliance with the extant stevedore government regulation(Marine Notice 106, 2014) by the International Oil Companies (IOCs), the managements of the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council held separate meetings with the Union (MWUN) on Friday 26th February,2022, to deliberate on the way forward.
“Both managements appealed to the Union to be given time to prevail on the IOCs to comply with the extant stevedores’ law and a time lag of 30 days effective time 25th February, 2022, was given.
“However, at another meeting held with Management of NPA, representatives of the IOCs, NNPC, NAPIM and NASO today 28th February 2022, it was unanimously agreed that two weeks effective from today 28th February 2022, be given to the IOCs to complete all processes to comply with the law and commence implementation of engaging the stevedores and dockworkers on their Oil platforms and report back to the Authority and the Union for review.
“Consequent upon the above and please of well- meaning Nigerians, the Union as a patriotic and responsible organisation hereby temporarily suspends its planned industrial action billed to commence 12am 1st March, 2022.”
