The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) alongside other associations in the sector under the aegis of the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) have signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is intended to improve the welfare of dock workers in line with global best practices.
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 yesterday, 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.
At
the event, 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.
On
his part, the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of
Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju applauded the initiative and
pleaded that all parties involved should endeavour 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.
In
his vote of thanks, the Director, Maritime Labour Services of NIMASA,
Mr. Ibrahim Jibril noted that NIMASA believes that all parties will
ensure full implementation of the agreement and that this will help
the Ease of Doing Business initiative of the Federal Government as
well as improved turnaround time in all activities in the ports.
The
NJIC is the body responsible for negotiating and reviewing of minimum
standards for dock labour industry. It was constituted in 2008
following the need to establish minimum standards for the Dock Labour
Industry after the ports were concessioned in 2006.
The
Agency is statutorily empowered under section 27(1) (b) of NIMASA Act
2007 to facilitate the NJIC meetings and circulate signed Agreements
to all concerned parties. Further to this, the Agency is also to
ensure strict compliance on implementation of the CBA.
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