Posted by By Nnamdi Duru, on
Dockworkers across the nation's ports have rejected the N1 billion severance packages the Federal Government earmarked for them....
Dockworkers across the nation's ports have rejected the N1 billion severance packages the Federal Government earmarked for them, insisting that the amount was based on a wrong assumption that only 12,000 workers would be affected by reforms at the ports that would sweep away some of their colleagues' jobs.
The workers also complained that the packages were calculated by government without any consultation with them, contending that this was a breach of several provisions of the country's labour laws.
As part of its ports reforms, the Federal Government last week announced N1 billion severance packages for 12,000 dockworkers across the nation's ports, a development the workers described as a betrayal on the part of government.
Reacting to this development, president of dockworkers' branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Mr. Tony Nted, told THISDAY in Lagos yesterday that the workers and their union were stunned by the government's action.
He faulted the decision on the ground that the latest verification of dockworkers was yet to be concluded, contending that the package would not be adequate for the embattled workers.
He said: "A few pertinent questions are thrown-up here; who did the federal government negotiate with before arriving at N1 billion for the said 12,000 dockworkers? Which union did they meet with? When did the meeting hold and for whom were any agreements (if any) reached? These have to be answered?"
The dockworkers' president, however, appealed to President Olusegun Obasanjo to come to the workers' rescue, saying that even a N585,000 per head the workers were asking for was not enough for them start a new life.
'It is not really adequate for an adult to start a new life, either as a fisherman, trader or even as a farmer?" Nted stated, adding, "For instance, to settle as a farmer, one would need at least N400, 000 to buy land measuring 100 by 200 metres; N100, 000 for equipment and fertilizers; N50, 000 for transportation back home from the present place of work; and at least N25, 000 as handy money.
He said government needed to review its position otherwise it would condemn the retrenched workers to a post retirement life of penury.