The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have signed a National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) agreement for dockworkers.
The agreement was signed last week at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement, the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA, Gambo Ahmed, “There is the need for understanding between the workers and employers in the industry, most especially during this period of economic recession where everyone needs to be accommodating”.
Ahmed is also the Chairman of the NJIC.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Seaport Terminals Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup commended NIMASA for midwifing the processes that ensure will ensure peace and harmony amongst stakeholders at the ports.
She said, “Nigeria has never had it so good, the atmosphere in and around the ports has made it so conducive for everyone to carry out his or her business and this is because NIMASA has always brought the issues of welfare of dockworkers to the front burner”.
MWUN President-General, Comrade Anthony Nted said stakeholders should be commended for the harmonious working relationship between terminal operators and workers in the ports, stating that MWUN is willing to abide by the signed agreement.
The event was concluded with the presentation of a new Toyota Hiace bus to MWUN by NIMASA.
While handing over the bus to the Union, Ahmed urged the leadership to impress on its members to be law abiding and assured them of government’s unflinching support in ensuring fairness in the industry.
The signed agreement, which is for a period of two years, is intended to ensure industrial peace in the maritime sector as it encompasses fair treatment of dockworkers.
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