The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) orchestrated a landmark event in the local maritime industry with the inaugural celebration of the ‘Day of the Dockworker’ in Lagos. Themed “Healthy Dockworker, Better Productivity,” the gathering convened stakeholders to acknowledge and enhance the health and well-being of Nigerian dockworkers, pivotal figures in the country’s import-driven economy.
Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, Director General of NIMASA, delivered an opening address emphasizing the imperative need for employers to enroll all dockworkers in contributory pension schemes. He stressed the significance of compliance with international guidelines and conventions by operators of Oil and Gas Terminals, urging the utilization of approved stevedores aboard their installations.
Highlighting the plight of dockworkers who dedicate the majority of their working lives to port activities, Dr. Jamoh urged employers to establish Contributory Pension Schemes for dockworkers, ensuring timely remittances of both employers’ and employees’ contributions each month.
Addressing compliance with stevedore inspections, he underscored the importance of granting operational access to Stevedoring Contractors appointed by the Minister of Transport, specifically for stevedoring activities in designated operational areas.
Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), expressed gratitude to NIMASA for organizing the event, acknowledging the agency’s recognition of the pivotal role played by Nigerian dockworkers.
The event drew representatives from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Nigerian Ports Authority, Seaport Terminal Operators Association, and the National Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASA).
Globally, July 7th is observed as ‘The Global Day of Action,’ coordinated by the International Dockworkers’ Council (IDC) and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). This day aims to raise awareness about port working conditions and advocate for collective bargaining rights. The local event organized by NIMASA echoes this international call, placing emphasis on the welfare and rights of dockworkers in Nigeria’s maritime sector.