Massive resignation at Sierra Leone Dock
Information reaching this medium indicated that due to political interference by public authorities into activities of the Dock Workers Union, especially the just concluded election which saw less participation from the majority of registered voters, many members of the union have allegedly decided to quit the organization.
Sources revealed that, the creation of the 5- man committee by the Minister of Labor Dr. Mathew Timbo and the Labor Congress to conduct what some dissatisfied members of the union described as an unfair election contravening the review constitution of the amalgamation.
According to the new constitution which was revised by the interim committee headed by the former interim President of the union Alhaji Musa Conteh, appointed and approved by the general membership of the union, states that workers and employer without distinction whatsoever, have the right to establish and join organizations of their own choosing with a view to furthering and defending their respective interests; such organizations have the right to draw up their own constitutions and rules, to elect their representatives in full freedom, to organize their administrations and activities and to formulate their programs. It further states that public authorities shall refrain from any interference which would restrict their right or impede the lawful exercise of this right.
Indisputable source intimates that the decision to tender resignation letter was taken by a majority of the disenfranchised workers and it was alleged that a cross section of the Dock Workers Union have already tendered their own resignation letter to the Human Resource Personnel of the Freetown Terminal Company (Bolore) and most of the membership has proven that their Income Tax deducted from their salaries for the past 10 years has never been paid to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Income Tax branch, likewise their NASSIT subscriptions. This situation which has been a secret affair for a while was said to have angered the workforce and decided to resign.
Reliable source say the entire executive allegedly installed by the Minister of Labor and Labor Congress is perceived to be unpleasant amongst the union members because they were expecting to do all their activities themselves including electing the executive of the union in full freedom.
According to the disgruntled workers, members of the current executive where also part of the last administration of Mr. Abdul Kanasieu which is said to be a failed regime. It was said that members of the new executive are above supervisory level serving the management and the union. They (Workers) explained that the so-called current President Alpha Sulaiman Bundu is a Senior Quarry Superintendent, Mr. Jeff also known as Kamajor who is now the Vice Preside is a Safety Manager, Mr. Alieu Turay is a Supervisor at Leone Dock Company and the PRO of Dock Workers Union, Mr. Karim a Timekeeper at Leone Dock now Financial Secretary of the Dock Workers Union. This according to them will suppress the services required by the junior staff and casuals of the union membership.
By Abdulai Mento Kamara
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