Following the economic pangs which has trailed the removal of fuel subsidy in the nation, the leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has admonished the federal government to extend its palliatives to maritime workers.
MWUN’s President-General, Comrade (Prince) Dr. Adewale Adeyanju made this call in a press statement issued today by the Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna.
Describing the maritime industry as the fulcrum on which the nation’s economy revolves, the union maintained that maritime workers shouldn’t be neglected in the dissemination of palliatives.
The press release titled, “Request for Equitable Palliative for Workers – Our Members”, reads: “The union equests in the face of the recent economic reforms where the federal government had chosen a part of subsidy removal – a decision that has rippled the nation’s economic landscape, affecting every citizen, the industry and most especially the workforce that keeps maritime running.”
“Products which fill our markets, the energy that propel our factories and resources that sustain our people flow through the maritime veins; yet, amidst this turbulent times, the maritime workforce has been left grappling with uncertainties battling dual challenges of the economic restructuring and the relentlessness at sea. This is a situation that demands not just our empathy, but with utmost encouragement.”
“MWUN in the light of the aforesaid wishes to demand with humility that all categories of maritime workers be considered for payment of palliative incentives to cushion the excruciating effects of the subsidy removal.”
The Union also suggested that a meeting between management/ union be convened to discuss the modalities and when to commence payment of the anticipated palliatives.