MWUN Shutdown TICT Over Failure To Comply With Special Daily Packages For Dockworkers

Barely three weeks of appealing to port concessionaires to provide special incentive packages for dockers,the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Friday , shutdown operational activities at Tin Can Island Containers Terminal (TICT) over non compliance to the plea.

The union had met with the terminal operators in Lagos during the first phase of the lockdown by the government to solicit support from the concessionaires in protecting dockworkers while on duty .

Similarly, the MWUN has also reiterated it commitment to ensure that members under the Shipping branch are also carried along with the special incentives packages and other safety equipment during the lockdown period.

In a renewed engagement with the concessionaires, Tin Can Island Containers Terminal (TICT) allegedly declined to provide special incentive packages for dockworkers engaged in the facility,which in turn led to MWUN top echelon visit .

President General of the Union Comrade Adewale Adeyanju who was on ground ordered the labour workers to down tools and shut down the facility over failure to do the needful for workers.

Aside the special packages for dockworkers, it was also gathered that the Personal Protective Equipment PPE and other safety kits were allegedly not made available for labour workers under TICT.

The Union’s boss who visited some of the terminals as part of efforts to inspect workers level of compliance on preventive measures against the novel coronavirus , expressed dissatisfaction over the lackluster attitude of management at TICT.

Adeyanju affirmed that management of TICT are unfair to workers despite the Coronavirus pandemic and the risk involved while at work.

According to him, the terminal operator has failed to consider the danger faced by dockworkers during the COVID19 pandemic adding that the union will not fold it hands and watch members perform their duties without the right safety equipment in place.

He affirmed that the union will not allow TICT to take workers for a ride until they comply fully and provide safety apparatus with the special incentives package for the dockworkers initially demanded.

Adeyanju also warned shipping line agencies to ensure that workers are protected and provided with special incentives during the pandemic, pointing out that the union will continue to engage erring operators who failed to provide the necessary items and packages for workers .

Recalled that as a result of government directive banning any form of movement for residents of Ogun, Lagos and Abuja, MWUN called on the port concessionaires to provide incentives for dockworkers and members of the Shipping Branch within the first14 days period of the lockdown.

The MWUN boss who led his team on a courtesy visit to Lagos Ports Complex( (LPC) and Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIPC) in March 2020, reiterated that Union’s commitment in ensuring a befitting welfare package and proper safety standards for members against the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic across the globe.

While speaking with a large number of dockworkers at Tin Can Island Containers Terminal (TICT) on Tuesday, Adeyanju noted that the visit to the terminals in the two seaports in Lagos State was as part of efforts to enforce compliance to safety measures put in place by both port health officials and the federal Ministry of health through the NCDC by terminal operators.

“We also negotiate special daily rates for dockworkers who will work throughout the duration of government 14 days lock down.”

He called on dockworkers to be fully kitted before boarding of vessels .

The President General also engaged the labour workers on their day to day operational activities in the face of the lockdown and covid19 pandemic .