Following a short interruption in its operations yesterday, Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) reached an agreement with the General Trade Union of Sea Ports and Clearance Employees guaranteeing the continuity of the terminal’s operations around the clock.
Under the agreement, signed between the Chairman of ACT’s Board Shadi Al Majali and the Union’s Chairman Mahmoud Al Batoush, both parties will work in unison toward securing the greater good of Aqaba’s terminals. The agreement comes to embody the real partnership shared between the two parties by implementing a series of constructive policies and procedures geared toward bolstering productivity and restoring harmony in the terminals.
The agreement stipulates that ACT provides its employees with a revised biannual rewards program that will work in line with the incentives program currently implemented at the terminal. Adding to that ACT will revise its annual bonuses policy and will work to develop and support the terminal’s social fund to help employees realize some of their long-term personal pursuits, particularly with regards to securing college educations for their children. Furthermore, The Company will activate the terminal’s savings and severance package funds.
Mahmoud Mansour, the head of the committee appointed by the Union to supervise the negotiation process with ACT, said that the agreement met the demands of all employees, explaining that the thoroughness of this agreement, particularly with regards to the financial rewards it brings to ACT’s employees, will have long-term positive effects on both morale and productivity. He commended the flexibility exhibited by both Al Majali and ACT’s CEO Klaus Laursen, both of whom showed an unwavering commitment to resolving the issue in a timely manner.
“This agreement comes as a real-life translation of His Majesty’s vision of safeguarding our nation’s human resources and improving our citizens’ quality of life,” commented Al Majali. “ACT was very understanding of the demands made by its employees. The negotiation process was expedited by the flexibility, transparency and empathy shared by all parties involved, all of whom showed a deep awareness to the important role played by ACT on a national scale”.
ACT’s CEO Klaus Laursen said that the agreement secures the terminal’s objective of 24-hour operation, and will contribute to serve our customers in a reliable and efficient way, maintaining its position as one of the leading terminals in the region.
The Minister of Labor Ibrahim Omoush had followed-up on the negotiation process, delegating the ministry’s Secretary General Mazen Oudeh to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement. Negotiations were also attended by the Chairman of the National Union of Workers’ Associations Mazen Maita.
Al Majali praised the efforts exerted by all parties, highlighting the remarkable role played by the Ministry of Labor and the National Union in reaching a timely and sustainable resolution, extending his warmest greetings to all employees on the occasion of Labor Day.
