…As NIMASA, STOAN, MWUN Others Sign Collective Bargaining Agreement
In a bid to ensure a better living standard for dock workers in the Nigeria maritime industry, 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 involves increases in 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 noted that dock labour is an integral part of the maritime industry, hence the need to place priority on their welfare.
Gambo who represented the Director General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside at the occasion 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
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.
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.
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.
