Trouble looms over massive lay-off at Tin-Can port as MSC acquires Bollore
…As Maritime Workers, TICT disagree over MSC acquisition
By Seun Ibiyemi
Many port workers working with the Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) are currently apprehensive following the take-over of the Bollore Transport and Logistics Nigeria Ltd by the MSC Group.
This even as the leadership of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the management of Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) on Monday disagreed over terms of service under which the new management of the port terminal, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), will operate once the take-over becomes official.
This takeover is likely to lead to massive lay-off of some of the port workers.
Recall that MWUN had recently sought clarifications from TICT on the expected acquisition of the port terminal and its logistic arm, Bollore Africa Logistics by MSC without much success.
Investigation revealed that Bollore Transport and Logistics Nigeria Ltd owns the largest percentage shares in TICT, and the take-over of the logistics firm signals a change in the ownership structure of TICT.
Speaking in Lagos, some of the port workers explained that news has filtered in that some of them will be paid off while others will be retained following the acquisition of Bollore by MSC Group.
According to a cross-section of the workers who wouldn’t want their names in print, “Some of the management staff have told us that some of us would be paid off while others will be retained.
“You know Bollore Transport and Logistics Nigeria Ltd owns the largest shareholding stake in TICT. So, when MSC Group took over Bollore Transport and Logistics Nigeria Ltd, they also took over TICT.
“We have been told that there is going to be a change in management at the TICT because of the new ownership. MSC will bring in their own people, and some of us will have to go. According to what we are hearing, those of us that will be laid off are going to be paid a lump sum of money while others will be retained.
“However, when this will become official is what we don’t know. We keep hearing different dates. Some said by next year January. We are also hearing by end of first quarter, 2023.”
However, in a meeting with the union leaders on Monday, TICT Managing Director, Mr. Etienne Rocher, while trying to convince the union members that the transition would bring no change to contract relations between the workers and the management of the port terminal operator, stated that the status quo would be maintained.
According to Rocher, “There will be no change to the contract signed by TICT with its employees, contractors or dock labour. There will be no change in obligation on the part of the company towards employees and vice versa.”
He also denied the statement credited to him that he told some workers to leave if they want to leave.
In an unanimous response one after the other, the Presidents of MWUN Shipping Branch, Comrade Ekpeyong Ekpeyong; Dockworkers Branch, Comrade Ibrahim Ohize as well as TICT District Chairman and other executives, rebuffed the MD’s explanation.
The union leaders and members cited what happened when the port was concessioned in 2006 and in LANSA shipping company in 2010. The workers said they lost their welfare payment because adequate clarifications were not made.
Recall that the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) is currently threatening a showdown with the TICT following uncertainties over the fate of its members working in Bollore Transport and Logistics Nigeria Ltd., after a 100 per cent acquisition of the company by MSC Group.
The world’s largest shipping line, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) recently reached an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the African logistic business of Paris-based Bolloré Group for €5.7 billion (US $6.4 billion) in April 2022.
The agreement follows exclusive negotiations between the two parties initiated in December 2021.
