The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) reiterated on Monday its plan to close the nation’s port at midnight on Tuesday, in accordance with a decision from the combined National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Comrade Oniha Odigwe, Secretary General of the MWUN, revealed to the Nigerian Tribune on Monday that as an affiliate of the NLC, the MWUN has no alternative but to join the strike action.
According to Comrade Oniha,
“The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria will commence a nationwide strike by midnight on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
“The nationwide strike is coming on the backdrop of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, directing its affiliate unions to embark on immediate withdrawal of services and to shut down Imo State by all public and private sector workers indefinitely by midnight of November 7, 2023.
“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 and Imo State Command.
“The joint communiqué 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, further directs that in the event that ‘Labours’ demands are unmet, workers all over the federation shall join in withdrawing their services by midnight on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
“The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, as an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, has directed that all members of the union comply with the jointly signed communique to commence immediate and total mobilisation to ensure MWUN participation in the nationwide strike on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023 is complied with indefinitely,” he added.