By David Oladimeji
The agreement which was painstakingly documented involves increases in their wages and allowances and certain emoluments and benefits, which includes; payment of redundancy and retirement benefits by terminal operators to aged dockworkers, payment of specified allowances to a deceased dock worker’s next of kin and pension contribution scheme for dock workers amongst other items listed in the agreement.
Speaking during the signing ceremony of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) held in Lagos, the Chairman of the NJIC, Mr. Gambo Ahmed who is also the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA and equally represented the Director General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside at the occasion, noted that dock labour is an integral part of the maritime industry, hence the need to place priority on their welfare.
He urged operators to bear in mind that the welfare of the dock workers will impact a lot on ports operations and in turn the entire economy, hence the need to ensure that they are properly catered for. “When the welfare of the dockworkers’ are put into proper perspective, we will have a healthy maritime sector, thereby leading to the actualization of a robust economy,” he stated.
The Chairman of the Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) Dr. (Mrs.) Vicky Haastrup stated that without the dock workers, there will be no ports, because the workers play a major role in economy of the ports, hence their welfare is paramount.
While commending NIMASA for its efforts in coordinating the NJIC, she observed that the initiative has brought about understanding among stakeholders in the ports and also given room for the peace and orderliness the maritime sector is enjoying. “We must all work together to ensure that the interest of the common dock worker is protected,” she said.
President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju applauded the initiative and pleaded that all parties involved should endeavor to fulfill their obligations as contained in the agreement.
Accordingly, he stated that it has never been this good in the industry, but for the supervision of NIMASA through the NJIC initiative; the industry is witnessing a new dawn with this CBA that is being signed. He also used the opportunity to pledge that the leaders of the Union will continue to ensure the sustenance of peace and harmony in the maritime sector in the interest of the sector and the Nigeria economy as a whole.
The Chairman, Ports Consultative Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin and the President of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola also joined in commending the efforts to maintain peace at the ports and called for continuous engagement, as it remains a panacea to a robust maritime sector.
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