Dockers to withdraw services at PTOL if terminal fails on PPE provision in seven days -MWUN
*Union says no dialogue after seven days ultimatum
Dockers would stop work at the PTOL terminal in Port Harcourt, Rivers in the next seven days if the terminal
fails to provide protective gears for the workers as prescribed by the health and safety protocols under COVID-19.
fails to provide protective gears for the workers as prescribed by the health and safety protocols under COVID-19.
Contained in a letter addressed to the managing director of the terminal and signed on Thursday by Comrade Louis Agbi, Assist. Sec. Gen. of the Union, the decision to withdraw services at the terminal by the given ultimatum was informed by the negligence exhibited by the terminal in failing to provide protective equipment for the workers at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening lives.
The Union said it expected the terminal to act according to requirements put in public space by the Federal Government and health agencies, which demand that people on the front-line jobs including those in the ports use hand gloves, safety helmets, face mask, sanitizers, overalls, safety booths, soap and water for safety purposes.
It therefore called the attention of the terminal that provision of PPEs for dockers to be safe while at work sites was not a privilege, but a standard required by safety rules to be provided for terminal operations.
The letter reads in part that “We wish to strongly draw your attention to the fact that the provision of PPEs for dockworkers is a standard gauge for terminal operations and not a privilege. It is not at the whims and fancies of your Management, but a major prerequisite for terminal operations within the ports.
“Consequent to the foregoing, I am directed to out on notice for seven days ultimatum starting from the date of this letter, within which period you are expected to provide our member-dockworkers PPEs to enable their safety and protection while at work.
“While we strongly urge you to listen to good reason, please note that in the event of your failure to
provide PPEs for our members, the Union will have no choice but to withdraw the services of our members from your terminal indefinitely without any recourse to further dialogue.”
provide PPEs for our members, the Union will have no choice but to withdraw the services of our members from your terminal indefinitely without any recourse to further dialogue.”
