BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR–The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, (MWUN), has issued a 14-day strike notice tou the Federal Government over the refusal of the International Oil Companies, IOCs, to allow the Stevedoring Companies access to their platforms to commence operations.
This was contained in a letter dated February 14, 2022 and addressed to the Ministers of Transportation, and Labour and Employment, the Union also frowned at the refusal of registered Dockworkers and stevedoring companies to operate in the IOCs platforms as required by law.
As a result, the union said it would embark on an indefinite industrial action against the IOCs, effective March 1, 2022.
The statement thus reads:“It will be recalled that the Minister of Transportation at a meeting held on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, with the IOCs, representatives of NPA, NIMASA, MWUN, Stevedoring Companies and other stakeholders, directed that the IOCs should within seven days allow the Stevedoring Companies access to their platforms to commence operations, which by extension will enable the registered Dockworkers along with the appointed stevedoring companies to operate in the IOCs platforms.
“We convey to you, Minister, the esteemed regard of the entire members of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria. We bring to you, the decision of the Central Working Committee of the Union at its meeting held Monday, January 24, 2022, to embark on an indefinite strike action effective from Tuesday, March 1, 2022, over the International Oil Companies’ non-compliance with the Extant Stevedoring Regulations known as Government Marine Notice 106 of 2014”
“Its is inconceivable that up till now, the IOCs have bluntly refused to allow the appointed and deployed stevedoring companies to commence operations on the platforms. This is a sharp contravention of the provisions of Government Marine Notice 106 of 2014
“Tuhe Government Marine Notice 106 applies to all companies and persons engaged in Stevedoring work, including Dock Labour Employers and Private Operators of any work location including Ports, Jetties, Onshore or Offshore Oil and Gas or Bonded Terminals, Inland Container Depots (ICDS), off Dock Terminal, Dry Ports and Platforms.
“Paragraph 3 of the referred Government Marine Notice stipulates that: ‘All operators of Ports, Jetties, Onshore or Offshore, Oil and Gas or Bonded Terminals, Inland Container Depots (ICDs), Offshore Dock Terminals, Dry Ports and Platforms and other work locations are hereby given the notice to grant duly appointed Stevedoring Companies access to their premises to commence operations. It is regretted to report that the IOCs have refused to comply with said Government Marine Notice 106, since 2014 when it was issued.”
