MINIMUM WAGE ACT: Maritime Workers Union To Join Nationwide Indefinite Strike

The Maritime Workers Union Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of Comrade (Prince) Dr. Adewale Adeyanju has obliged to comply with the directive of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to join in the indefinite total lock down of the country commencing from Monday, the 3rd of June, 2024.

According to a statement e-signed by
Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN the indefinite nationwide strike has become very imperative, given the failure of the Federal Government on the logjam and the inconclusive national minimum wage negotiation and refusal to reverse the hard biting hike in electricity tariff.

“In view of the foregoing, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has directed its members in all ports nationwide, jetties, terminals, oil & gas platforms to effectively ensure the total compliance of the strike as directed by the NLC and TUC.

” This is also to serve as notice to all our concerned stakeholders in the Maritime sector.”,the statement added

Recall that the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, stated that the indefinite strike would begin by midnight on Monday.

The NLC leader, who read from a jointly prepared speech alongside his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, expressed what he described as “grave concern and disappointment” over the Federal Government’s failure to conclude and pass into law a new National Minimum Wage Act, and reverse the hike in electricity tariff to N65/kWh.

Ajaero noted that the Friday meeting between the government and Labour further demonstrated the lack of seriousness and apparent contempt with which the Nigerian state held the demands of Nigerian workers and people.

“No governor was present and ministers were absent, except the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, who doubles as a conciliator.

“There was none present on the side of the government with appropriate authority to commit them to any outcome. In essence, the government abandoned the meeting.

“We consider this disdainful and shows a lack of commitment to a successful National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise.”

Ajaero further noted that during the last May Day celebration, Organised Labour issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the conclusion of the minimum wage negotiation exercise by the end of the month.