…As NIMASA, STOAN, MWUN, Others sign Collective Bargaining Agreement
 |
L-R: President
of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola,
Chairman National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) and Executive Director,
Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Gambo Ahmed, President
General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju
and Director, Maritime Labour Services Department of NIMASA, Mr. Ibrahim
Jibril during the signing ceremony of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for
Dock Labour by the NJIC in Lagos.
of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola,
Chairman National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) and Executive Director,
Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Gambo Ahmed, President
General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju
and Director, Maritime Labour Services Department of NIMASA, Mr. Ibrahim
Jibril during the signing ceremony of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for
Dock Labour by the NJIC in Lagos.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
