Published: 18 May 2012
Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) workers at DP World Port Botany have unanimously passed a resolution in support of the Yemeni Dockers Union over workers' rights abuses and poor conditions of employment.
Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith reports that comrades in the Dockers Union in Yemen have been in dispute with DPW over non-payment and sacking of members working at Mallaa Container Terminal (MCT).
These workers are attempting to safeguard their jobs while DPW manipulates the employment arrangements they entered into when they gained access to this public port infrastructure.
"The message to DP World management is clear. We will not sit idly by and allow blatant abuses and injustices to proceed." Mr Smith said.
"This is a united call from MUA members across the country. What we want to say to the bosses at the Mallaa Container Terminal is: respect your workforce, reinstate the workers and and let's put this whole sorry chapter behind us."
In an act of international solidarity a resolution was passed unanimously on Day and Evening Shifts by the MUA Sydney members working at DP World Port Botany:
We the labour of DP World Sydney condemn the DP World Mallaa Container Terminal management in Yemen over the non-payment and sackings of the members of the Yemeni Dockers Union.
We support Yemeni dockers against DP World's exploitation of these struggling workers and stand side by side with our Yemeni comrades in this current struggle.
Passed unanimously on Day and Evening Shifts
Please send resolutions of solidarity to the following email addresses and even photos from DPW (or elsewhere) of members with a sign or placards supporting Yemeni dockers against DPW's exploitation of these struggling workers.
Abdulhameed Ali MCT Union Vice President: abdulhameed85@hotmail.com
Warren Smith MUA Assistant National Secretary: warren.smith@mua.org.au