The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has suspended the strike action it embarked on Wednesday at the APM Terminals in Apapa. The suspension followed the intervention of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Friday.
The union had shut down the APM Terminal over alleged anti-labour practices and ceding out employment opportunities at the terminals to foreigners.
Speaking yesterday, the President General of the Union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju at a meeting with the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hasan Bello informed that the strike has been suspended while stating that a joint communiqué will be release to that effect on Monday.
Adeyanju however reiterate that the union will not back out until the terminal operator adhere strictly to labour laws in the country, adding that the union would soon engage other terminal operators who are bent on treating Nigerian workers with disdain.
The MWUN leader also stressed that the union is not weak but always weighs options before taking actions.
Adeyanju also lampooned the multinationals who engage expatriates on jobs that could be carried out by Nigerians.
He said the union would engage the Minister of Interior on the need to scrutinize foreigners who hide under the guise of working in Nigeria without the requisite documents.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello commended the effort of the union for the scientific approach in the industrial action against APMT.
Bello said the Council and the union would work assiduously to sustain the peace and harmony that have existed in port operations, pointing out that the terminal operator has allegedly refused to abide by the laws of the land.
“Nobody should come to Nigeria and disrespect us. We support the union for putting the terminal operator to order. We have rules and regulations, we have laws and we have sanctions and nobody should come to our country and take us for a ride”, he stated.
