Dockers urged to register with Agency for Social Protection |26 June 2019

(L to r) Eugene Labrosse, Hansel Porrice and Randy Azemia

Following a strike by a group of dockers registered with the Hunt Deltel company, which started on Monday in front of the gate of State House, the dockers were still negotiating their dues yesterday.

By the end of the day (yesterday), Seychelles NATION learned that the dockers received their letters from the Hunt Deltel company to go register and seek for assistance at the Agency for Social Protection.

Meanwhile in a communiqué released yesterday, the Ministry of Employment said that it met with the group of workers who voiced their concerns regarding the period during the year when there is no boat to load or unload.

The employment representative at the meeting also brought to the attention of the dockers the provision in the law regarding stevedoring, noting that this is being revised.

The department said that it was also in contact with the management of Hunt Deltel who in turn have met with the dockers to clarify the issue.

Meanwhile the dockers in question have been asked to report to the Agency for Social Protection to apply for financial aid based on merit.

The Ministry of Employment has seized the opportunity to urge all companies to put in place appropriate structures and mechanisms that encourage good industrial relations between employer and employees.

According to the representative of the dockers, Randy Azemia, there are 342 dockers registered with the Hunt Deltel company. He said that “it is important to know that we as representatives, did not start the strike. Some dockers felt that the situation was out of control and nothing was being done for them. They do have a point as they were promised in one of the statements made by the President that they will get an incentive for the period of time they are out of work. We came in to appease the situation and accelerate the paper work to enable the dockers to receive some financial help. The situation needs to be dealt with as soon as possible because we want to see some form of action taken,” Mr Azemia said.

He was accompanied by Eugene Labrosse and Hansel Porrice.

Seychelles NATION contacted Hunt Deltel for their reaction and we were told the following: “The situation with the stevedores remains unchanged. Hunt Deltel is disappointed that the stevedores and their representatives did not undertake to engage with the company or the authorities prior to taking this industrial action. Hunt Deltel has always maintained open lines of communication with the unions and the stevedore representatives. The company is taking all measures to work with the stevedores, the Ministry of Employment and the Agency for Social Protection to find an appropriate course of action.”