NLC, TUC Temporarily Suspend Nationwide Strike, Maritime Workers Union Gives Directives to Members

News - Women's Perspective

After an emergency meeting between the federal government and labour leaders, the NLC and TUC jointly agreed to suspend the planned nationwide strike for 30 days to allow for the implementation of their demands.

The Executive Members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Monday directed their members to resume work at the nation’s seaports and oil and gas platform.

Joe Ajaero

The union had earlier directed workers at the seaport to comply with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directive on an indefinite strike which was scheduled for October 3, 2023.

NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) had directed its affiliate member unions across the country to mobilise and shut down the country following the refusal of the federal government to meet its demands.

The President-General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, however, in a statement released on Monday night, said an agreement had been reached with the government and the strike would no longer hold.

According to Adeyanju, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC had directed that all its affiliate members should direct their members to return to work.

A statement signed by Com John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN reads in part thus: “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly suspended the indefinite strike billed for October 3, 2023 following the removal of fuel subsidy.

It would be recalled that the Nigeria Labour Congress had directed its affiliate member Unions across the country to mobilize and shut down the country following the refusal of the government to adhere to the seven points demand made by the NLC and the TUC to ameliorate the suffering of the teeming Nigerian Workers and the impoverished masses of the country.

“The President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade (Prince) Dr Adewale Adeyanju, in the same vein equally ordered that all the nation’s Seaports, Jetties, Oil & Gas platforms and Terminals be shut down accordingly for operations.

“But after the outcome of the emergency meeting summoned today, October 2, 2023, between the federal government and labour leaders was held, the NLC and TUC had jointly agreed to suspend the strike to allow for the implementation of the NLC demands. Consequently, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC had directed that all its affiliate members should direct their members to return to work tomorrow, October 3, 2023, as the planned indefinite strike has been suspended.

Comrade Adeyanju, the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress had equally directed that all members of the Maritime sector should resume work tomorrow as instructed by the Nigeria Labour Congress.”