Dockworkers from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya Pursue Uniform CBA from APM Terminals
From Right: ITF Dockers Session Representatives in UK, Comrade Enrico Totarlano, ITF Representatives in Nigeria , Comrade Ayo Ohiwere, President General MWUN Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and a Labour union leader from Ghana during the meeting in Lagos on Monday
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Dockworkers from four major African countries on Monday, met at the Eko Hotels in Lagos. The countries are; Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Kenya
The meeting was at the instance of the Dockers Section of International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) London.
The dockworkers have subsequently resolved to form a common front in pursuing global standard in signing of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with multinational terminal operators, starting with APM Terminals.
Speaking at the meeting, ITF Dockers Section Cordinator, Enrico Totorlano stated that ITF is building a network of all maritime unions in Africa.
“We are trying to build a network of various maritime unions, and specifically for now, we want to focus on APM Terminals, if have the opportunity to expand it further, we will, but we need to start from somewhere
“We are going to a budget for an annual event for all Dockers in Africa, but for now, the concentration is on Nigeria, Liberia, Kenya and Ghana. A WhatsApp group was going to be opened where all the Dockers can be chatting and exchanging information.
“Secondly is to achieve a Global standard in signing of Collective Bargaining Agreement, whatever that is applicable in Nigeria is applicable in Kenya.
“ITF was going to have a productive engagement with the multinational terminal operators. Anytime the issue of CBA is coming up, ITF would also be involved” he said
Also speaking, Africa Regional Secretary of ITF, Mohammed Safiyanu urged the various workers union to always carry the ITF along in all their negotiations, even before it snowballs into a full fledge strike action.
“If you want to benefit from the ITF, anytime you have a challenge with these multinational companies that is likely going to lead to you declaring industrial action, please let us know in good time so that we can solve the problem without a strike action.
“Put us in the forefront of the issue first” he said
The various unions from the four African countries recounted their ordeal in the hands of APM Terminals in their countries where ports have been concessioned.
President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju called on the ITF to render it’s support for the various unions to achieve a global content in their welfare packages.
“We need the support of ITF so that we can have a global content in our CBA that involves all the multinational companies, our CBA is supposed to be a single one.
“When we have a single CBA, it would put a stop to all the atrocities being committee by multinational companies, they come to Nigeria and Africa to make money, and at the end of the day, they repatriate the money to their countries
“Meanwhile the people and citizen of the land are left not catered for.
“I remember when APMT came into this country in 2006, we started with them with the understanding that they would give our members the required sense of belonging, but today, it is the other way round.
“The APMT should respect the assets that is leased to them, when you are doing business in Africa, empower the Africans and give them their rights” he stated.
Speaking in the same vein, President of Dockworkers Union of Liberia (DOWUL) Comrade Jackie Doe, recounted how wrongful suspension of 24 members of the union by APMT Liberia.
“The multinational companies see us as an enemy, they believe it hat we are stopping what goes into the politicians pockets, it is the same politicians that signed the concession agreement that is affecting our lives till date.
“There is need for us all in Africa to unite, because a united voice can break any barrier. As a trade union group, we won the government because we stood together. All our members were all paid through the instrumentality of ITF” she stated
On her part, Comrade Matreda Danson, National Trustee of Dockworkers Union of Kenya expressed apprehensions that the Port of Kenya is planning to carryout a concession exercise that is not favourable to the workers.
According to her, out of 1800 workers, the government promised to retain only 400 workers, thereby rendering 1,400 workers redundant and jobless.
Comrade Danson however said the matter is being handled by the courts.
The various unions also used the opportunity to show solidarity for the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the dockworkers of the port of Felixstowe, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
