Morocco dockers take industrial action over sackings

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/5520

07/01/2011

Dockers in the Moroccan port of Tangier took part in a work stoppage this week after talks with management over the dismissal of four unionists failed.

The workers, represented by the ITF-affiliated Union des Syndicats (UMT), took industrial action at APM Terminals Tangier on 5 January; the union reported that it had not been possible to reach a mutual agreement during a meeting with local APM management on 22 December.

Commenting on the events, ITF dockers’ section secretary Frank Leys said that as the meeting had not been successful the UMT “were left with no other alternative than to take action”. However, he hoped that a suitable solution, acceptable to both parties, could be reached through constructive social dialogue. He also said that the ITF regional and London offices were prepared to facilitate such a solution.

Bilal Malkawi, ITF Arab World office added: “Unions representing workers at APM terminals around the world have sent letters of solidarity to the union. They have also written letters to the management in their own countries to protest against the local company’s actions in Tangier and to demand that the workers’ right to organise and bargain collectively be upheld in Tangier.”