Tuesday 28 November, 2017 supposed to be the day Justice Nwodo preside the preliminary injunction between the Six Hundreds and Eighty Eight forceful retrenched and victimized dock workers versus Victoria Haastrup owner of Energy Neftegas Limited (ENL). Unfortunately and sadly, the Judge didn't sit to preside the hearing.
According to the Clerk who announced the new date of the workers to be Wednesday 21 February, 2018 said. "All cases under Justice Nwodo are adjourned till the Judge officially sit to preside all hearing".
Many of the legal counsels present in Court 6 inside the Labour Industrial building when all dates were adjourned, got disappointed and not happy over the news put forward by the Clerk. For some of the dock workers who were in the court room are embittered and sad over the repeated adjourned dates of Thursday November 2 and Tuesday November 28 respectively. Workers outside the building chanting solidarity songs reacted that twice Justice Nwodo didn't sit to preside their case. They felt suspicious over the non-availability of Justice Nwodo not showed up the second time to preside the preliminary hearing before her desk. The workers got agitated that the court cannot be trusted judging from what currently is going on.
Outside the Industrial Labour Court premises situated at Ikoyi. Hundreds of the victimized workers had resolved politically they weren't going back until the necessary justice is accord to their case against the assault Victoria Haastrup leashed upon them while in the port and even now; refusing to pay their ten years entitlement since May 2008 after the "Collective Bargaining" Agreement Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), and Maritime Workers Union Nigeria (MWUN) signed and it was published May 28, 2008 in Nigeria Guardian Newspaper.
Solidarity songs were chanted. Placards stating the various demands of the workers were boldly raised without fear in the premises. Before the adjournment to Wednesday 21 February, 2018 a rally to the court had already taken effect from CMS for two hours and thirty minutes to earn sympathy from the rank and file general public over the assault done to them after people red the demands boldly written in the placards while the workers marched to the court for the hearing.
Journalists from Galaxy Television who were present immediately after the adjourned date, ran interview with Barrister Adebiyi Toluwani (the legal counsel) and Gerald Eseagu and Pastor Adam (coordinators of the Dock Workers Forum) on what they feel about the Justice Nwodo absence to preside the preliminary hearing of their case. Fundamentally, both the lawyer and the coordinators expressed disappointment over this occurrence, but assured victory will be attained.
Toluwani the legal counsel said "victory must be attained because of the criminality of ENL, refusing to pay the workers their entitlement they deserved". Also, to continue exposing the companies on their atrocities, he said. "We are going to used all genuine means to tell Nigerians what these private company is doing against workers". Gerald and Pastor Adams respectively said. "Inspite of the Judge absence twice on this matter. Thus, they dock workers will March on till they grab victory". Equally, "they called for solidarity support from well meaning Nigerians and the Labour leaders to join them in forcing Victoria Haastrup to pay them their rights".
Socialists from DSM who joined the workers from CMS to the court urge them to be more united to further continue to disgrace the employer. Immediately after the press left. Discussions around arming the struggle subsequently were raised. That to picket the court is not also out of place if suspected or the non-availability of Justice Nwodo does continue. They dock workers in agitated voices resolved that in subsequent appearance, they shall mobilize more of their members to do the needful because the conservative bourgeois legal institution can't be trusted. Majority of the workers believe maybe this shall be the next alternative to be taken to mount politically pressure on the court to carried out the necessary justice.
Leaders of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) who should have been the vanguard for the victimized dock workers history had tore them away from the struggle. The forceful retrenched workers don't see their union leaders as viable threat to force down the wall of Victoria Haastrup. They see the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria leaders as friends of the management. Not a single statement had been issued on this matter since this struggle commenced March, 2016. Thus, the union leaders of MWUN have been silent all this while for more than eighteenth months this struggle has been on; the workers are demanding their ten years whole entitlement to be paid. Sadly enough, the attitude of the union confirms it's weakness because of the undemocratic running of the union.
Privatization and concession of the Nigerian Port to private dogs, is what creates this problem in the dock industry. It has further enrich the private companies to make more billion of dollars at the expense of thousands of victimized workers in the port. Some who had died while in service. ENL have refused to pay their necessary benefit because of what the company represent: profit first before workers welfare. For those who are alive and no more in service because of terrible injuries sustained while working. Victoria Haastrup and her team has never did nothing to adequately cater for the need of these decapitated workers.
Inspite of this modern slavering going on in the Dock Industry. The so-called Buhari government of "change" on its part haven't alter a word against privatization if at all they intend to fight corruption starting. It has clearly confirms that they aren't ready to reverse the port or revoke the license of these operators as its claim to deal with corruption the regime pretend to tackle. The fight against corruption has only meant contradiction repeatedly since this regime took power in May 2015. No pro-mass policy has been implemented as current reality pose. Socialist fighters who were in action with the workers believe only plan society under workers control and management can end this modern slavering in the dock industry and guarantee a better life.
By Fidel Davy
LIFEINSLUM PHOTOS
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