JUST IN: Dockworkers To Shutdown Terminal Operations Over Lingering NJIC

By Roland Ekama 

Dockworkers Branch of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has concluded plans to shutdown port operations nationwide next Wednesday over delay by seaport terminal operators to sign the National Industrial Joint Council (NJIC) arrangement.

Our correspondent gathered that the NJIC has not been signed for over a year and the union has frowned at the dilly dally tactic by the terminal operators.

Dockworkers Branch President, Comrade Tajudeen Ibrahim Ohize who gave directive on Wednesday in Lagos during a meeting between the union and officials from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) , noted that the terminal operators have failed to give reasons for the delay and workers can no longer tolerant this delay tactic.

The President General of the union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju who supervised the engagement between the workers and NIMASA officials, also gave nod to the action taken by the Dockworkers Branch President ,said” Who am I to tell the workers not to issue seven days ultimatum when things are not right with the workers “.

Ohize accused the terminal operators for sending representatives to the meeting held recently without the mandates to take decision adding that those present during the negotiations lack capacity to take decision on behalf of their employers.

He said the delay from the terminal operators evidently indicates that the Chief Executive Officers are not willing to sign and the union will not fold its hands allow workers to continue working at the port terminal

“The dockworkers president said “We have the way we do our things even as the PG respects stakeholders and he accepts them

“Sir, the few weeks you are telling us cannot work because we already have our deadline, of nothing is done on Wednesday, we will withdraw all the services ot oir workers throughout Nigeria

“We have been patient enough. If we say we want to do something,we will do it. It is because of the leadership of our PG that you see the peace we all enjoy in the port today. In the history of the industry,what is happening presently has cancer happened. Before Wednesday, if nothing is done, we will withdraw our services,” he declared.

Earlier, the Deputy Director, Maritime Labour Services of NIMASA, Mr. Raymond Irakhore had appealed to the union leaders that in few weeks time, something would be done even as he extoll d the virtues of the PG for his efforts in fighting for the welfare of workers at the four branches of the union.

The Deputy Director of NIMASA stated that the apex regulatory agency will take decisive action against the terminal operators once they fail to comply in the coming days..