The leadership of the Dock Workers Union of Liberia has expressed satisfaction over the gradual improvement of conditions at the National Port Authority (NPA) for both workers and port users.
The leadership recalled that, despite the partial takeover of Freeport of Monrovia by APM Terminals under an agreement reached with the government and the subsequent reduction in revenue intake, the NPA has not lost sight of its responsibilities and desire to keep the port operational.
The union’s President, Moses Sherriff, said the administration of Bill Tweahway as Managing Director of the NPA is working with stakeholders, port users and employees to design and implement strategies that will keep the national ports on par with other maritime institutions.
Sheriff disclosed that after securing a state-of-the-art headquarters for the entity, the Bill Tweahway administration is making effort to improve other areas as well.
Speaking to the Hot Pepper, the Dock Workers president said efforts are being made to renovate the port’s only clinic, restaurants, packing lots and other facilities to enhance efficiency in the port’s operation.
Sheriff, who was flanked by the Dock Workers Union Secretary General, Sonzai Kelvin Diahn, noted that as part of confident-building measure between management and dock workers, the NPA boss has delegated the responsibility of reactivating the medical insurance to the union.
The leadership also hailed the recent decision by management to employ more Liberians into the system as a way of reducing the high unemployment rate in the country.
Sheriff, who described the relationship between management and employees as cordial, disclosed that discussions are currently on-going between the two to revive insurance policy and other benefit for workers as mandated by the act creating the entity.
Meanwhile, the Dock Workers Union is encouraging other unions and association operating in the port to form partnership with the union to ensure proper coordination.