The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has restated its commitment to improved welfare and capacity building for dock workers in the maritime industry.
The agency made the pledge during a meeting of the employers and labour unions in the maritime sector under the aegis of the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) organized by it in Lagos.
Speaking at the forum, the Chairman of the NJIC, who is also the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Gambo Ahmed, said that the initiative was with a view to using the platform of constant engagement to ensure that dock workers’ get better living conditions in line with International Labour laws.
He advised operators in the sector to bear in mind that the welfare of the dock workers would impact positively on the maritime industry and by implication the nation’s economy if prioritized by companies and agencies.
“When the welfare of the dockworkers’ are put into proper perspective, we have a healthy maritime sector, thereby leading to the actualization of a robust economy”, Gambo said.
In his remarks, the Director, Maritime Labour Services, NIMASA, Mr. Ibrahim Jibril said that the new agreement will demonstrate the agency’s commitment, which is in line with the ‘A future with Decent Work and also building a future for the Dock Labour Industry’ theme of the 107th International Conference held in Geneva.
Jibril explained that the agency had put in place all necessary measures towards ensuring a successful exercise in line with the provisions of the existing agreement and the demand for its review.
Participants at the forum, including the President General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and the President of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASC), Mr. Bolaji Sunmola agreed to work harmoniously to sustain the peace in the industry.
The NJIC is the body responsible for negotiating and reviewing of minimum standards for dock workers and the last Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is reviewed bi-annually, lapsed on 31st May, 2018.
The regulation of dock labour minimum standards is the statutory responsibility of the Agency as enshrined in the Act, Section 27 (1) sub-section (b) of the NIMASA Act.
