DOCKER UNION FEDERATIONS SIGN A 5-YEAR SOCIAL TRUCE

Activités portuaires Friday 24 January 2025

The seminar on consolidating social peace in Ivorian ports, which began on December 5, 2024, in Grand-Bassam, concluded after three days of discussions and deliberations. It resulted in an agreement between stevedoring companies and docker representatives to establish a five-year social truce.

On behalf of the Minister of Transport, Mr. CONE Dioman, Chief of Staff, congratulated the Managing Directors of Ivorian ports and all stakeholders for their involvement in this seminar. According to him, this agreement represents a major step forward for the stability and competitiveness of the ports. “This social truce, which ends the conflicts that have plagued our sector in recent years, paves the way for a period of stability for the ports of Abidjan and San Pedro,” stated Mr. CONE Dioman.

He assured attendees of the Ministry’s commitment to translating the seminar’s recommendations into concrete actions. These recommendations which were presented by Mr. Ange OTTROU, Deputy Director of Legal and Litigation Affairs at the Abidjan Port Authority, representing the Secretary General of Abidjan Port’s Community, Mr DIARRASSOUBA TAHIROU, also Chairman of the Scientific Committee, read as follows:

• Revaluing docker bonuses;
• Eradicating external labor practices;
• Improving IT systems for docker assignments to address stakeholder concerns;
• Revising the procedure for granting handling permits;
• Enhancing performance monitoring for accredited companies;
• Reducing the retirement age for certain dockers from 60 to 55 years, ensuring full benefits due to the demanding nature of their work.

On behalf of the Ivorian port Authorities, Mr. Hilaire LAMIZANA, Managing Director of San Pedro Port Authority, extended his heartfelt thanks and deep gratitude to the Minister of Transport for initiating this seminar. He expressed satisfaction with the active participation of all stakeholders and confirmed that the port authorities have taken note of the scientific committee’s recommendations.

Before the closing remarks, representatives of five docker union federations and the SEMPA vice-president, representing its president Mrs. Asta-Rosa CISSE, signed the truce agreement in the presence of the Minister’s representative and port authorities of Abidjan and San Pedro.

The ceremony ended with votes of thanks delivered by Mr. GUEHI Adehi Ka Pliké, Secretary-General of the National Federation of Dockers of Côte d’Ivoire, and Mrs. Haidara Mariam, Secretary-General of the Maritime Federation of Côte d’Ivoire (FEDERMAR), addressed to his Excellency President Alassane OUATTARA and Minister Amadou KONE.