The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria has issued a 21-day ultimatum to Temile Development Company Nigeria Limited, threatening a major industrial showdown over the company’s refusal to allow the unionisation of its workers.
The union, led by its President General, Bunu Abi, disclosed that the move is in collaboration with the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, as both bodies intensify efforts to organise workers employed by the Port Harcourt-based firm.
According to him, several formal requests for unionisation have been sent to the company over the past year, but management has allegedly failed to respond. The letters, dated May 26, September 16, and October 2025, as well as April 1, 2026, were all reportedly ignored.
He described the company’s stance as unacceptable, insisting that no organisation is above established labour laws and union rights. The union further alleged that continued resistance to unionisation raises concerns about unfair labour practices, including the casualisation of workers.
Abi maintained that casualisation is an outdated practice that has no place in today’s labour environment, warning that employers who persist in such acts would face decisive action from organised labour.
He stressed that the company must respond to the union’s correspondence and agree to a meeting within 21 days or risk facing industrial action.
The development sets the stage for a potential confrontation between organised labour and the company, with implications for industrial relations within the maritime sector.