Maritime Workers suspend strike against shipping lines upon Shippers Council intervention

By Seun Ibiyemi

The Nigerian Shippers Council on Monday mediated on the strike action embarked upon by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Monday, even as the union has agreed to suspend the strike action while negotiations with the shipping lines continue.

The strike action resulted from a breakdown of negotiations between the Union and the Shipping Companies/ Agencies & Freight Forwarders Employers Association (SCAFFEA) on minimum standard of condition of service in the Shipping Industry.

At the meeting held at the Training Room of Nigerian Shippers’ Council on Monday 5th June 2023, there were presentations by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council through the Executive Secretary, Hon Emmanuel Jime, and also by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria through the President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and the Shipping Companies/ Agencies & Freight forwarders Employers Association by Mr Ascanio Russo.

At the end of deliberations, the following were agreed upon as the communique of the meeting:

“Maritime Workers Union and Shipping Companies/Agencies and Freight Forwarders Employers Association expressed commitment for sincere negotiations on the Minimum Standard of Condition of Service in the Industry.

“Parties agreed to a timeline of One Month starting from Monday 5th June 2023 to 4th July 2023 for completion of the negotiations.

“Parties to establish an acceptable Minimum Standards on the Condition of Service in the Shipping Industry especially on gratuity.”