NIGERIA PORT WORKERS TO EMBARK INDEFINITE STRIKE

Nigeria Port workers are set to embark on nationwide protests on Tuesday over their disagreement over  some sections of the Ports and Harbour Bill.

This could lead to massive job losses. A source said that the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) observed inherent dangers in the bill which was recently passed by the Senate.

He said that protests were being jointly organised by the MWUN and the senior staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC), Maritime Branch.

When contacted, the Secretary General of MWUN, Felix Akingboye, confirmed the imminent protests, but refused to give details.

"We are mobilising our members in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri and Calabar, for the demostration."

According to him, the promoters of the bill are only after their personal interests and this is to concession the harbour operations of NPA to private individuals.

He advised that government should avoid the mistakes of the port concession of 2006, which led to the sack of 12,000 NPA workers.

"The provision of item 6 in the second schedule of the bill is repulsive. It provides that every staff of NPA would not be absorbed in the ports and Harbour Authority."

"The provision of section 15 (4) of the bill gives the authority the powers to employ persons on non-pensionable terms and conditions."
"This is offensive to the provisions of the Pension Reform At, 2004 as amended," Mr. Akingboye said.