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Fear grips dock workers over planned sacking

By on January 28, 2016

THERE is mounting apprehension in the ports following a report that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has approved the sack of 3,000 dockworkers handled by stevedoring contractors.

It was gathered that an industrial action would have been triggered across the country if not for the timely intervention of the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Mr. Anthony Emmanuel.

Surprised by the alleged approval, the leadership of the union in a statement on Tuesday called on the minister to immediately respond to the report that it had given the Nigeria Ports Authority the approval to sack tally clerks and onboard security men who are members of the union.

The union accused the management of NPA of concocting the said report, alleging that it was done in a bid to secure the engagement of cargo surveyors illegally.

The statement signed by the Secretary-General of the Union, Mr. Aham Ubani, insisted that no such decision was made by the Minister of Transportation at the stakeholders’ meeting held on January 20, 2016 at the conference room of the Ministry of Transportation, Abuja.

“On continuation of the service, the dockworkers engaged in tallying and onboard security services, which is the primary area of interest of the union. The Minister promised to report both the labour position and the NPA intention to the Head of State for final decision/directive,” it said.

MNUW alleged, “The news report of the approval which was no doubt planted by the management of NPA to hoodwink the Minister of Transportation into taking hasty and anti-workers decision is certainly not in the interest of our country and is indeed a direct assault on the prevailing industrial peace in our seaports nationwide.”

“The report would have since ignited serious simultaneous turmoil in Lagos seaports, Port Harcourt seaports, Calabar Seaports, Warri Ports, but for the prompt personal intervention of the President General, Anthony Emmanuel

 
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