MWUN shutdown TICT over failure to provide protective equipment for dock workers

MWUN shutdown TICT over failure to provide protective equipment for dock workers

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) shutdown operational activities at Tin Can Island Containers Terminal (TICT) over non-compliance of the operators to provide special incentives for dock workers and lack of personal protective equipment.

Recall, that the union had appealed to all terminals and shipping lines to provide special packages for Labour working in the terminals during the covid 19 pandemic as a palliative.

The union also 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, MWUN had also reiterated its commitment to ensuring that members under the Shipping branch were also carried along with the special incentive packages and other safety equipment during the lockdown period.

In a renewed engagement with the concessionaires, Tin Can Island Containers Terminal allegedly declined to provide special incentive packages for dockworkers engaged in the facility, which attracted the visit of MWUN leaders to the facility.

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 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 lacklustre attitude of management at TICT.

Adeyanju affirmed that the management of TICT was unfair to workers despite the Coronavirus pandemic and the risk involved.

According to him, the terminal operator has failed to consider the danger faced by dockworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic adding that, the union will not fold its hands and watch members perform their duties without the right safety equipment in place.

Adeyanju 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.

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

Comrade Adeyanju who toured the two seaports in Lagos visited TICT, ENL and Ports and Cargo Handling Services.

At the wake of government directive banning any form of movement for residents of Ogun, Lagos and Abuja, MWUN had called on the port concessionaires to provide incentives for dock workers within the first14 days period.

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.

Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele