The Federal Government has issued an order allowing APM Terminals Apapa, a leading terminal operator in Nigeria, to hire female employees to work at night – furthering the terminal management’s efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusion.
Akpan O.U., director of the Trade Union Services & Industrial Relations under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, signed the grant of permit order on 21 January 2019, citing sufficient physical provisions and the company’s robust maternity policy, as criteria for the approval.
The ministry order also requires APM Terminals Apapa to comply with the provisions of Convention 171 or the Night Work Convention of the International Labour Organisation, a United Nations specialised agency aimed at promoting rights at work, encouraging decent employment opportunities, enhancing social protection, and strengthening dialogue on work-related issues, owing to the fact that Nigeria is a member state of International Labour Organisation (ILO).
“APM Terminals is deeply committed to advance diversity and inclusion across the organisation and we are delighted to have the support of the government in cultivating this culture. Securing this permit is an important step in building an inclusive workplace where all talents have the same opportunity to grow and achieve their full potential,” says Aniemeka Umeonyido, head, Human Resources of APM Terminals Apapa.
BusinessDay understands that APM Terminals Apapa filed the permit application in April 2018, expressing that many qualified female employees over the years have indicated interest and willingness to work the graveyard shift. However, a provision in the Labour Act in Nigeria prohibits night work for women in industrial setting.
With the permit, Aniemeka Umeonyido says they anticipate an increase in the number of female candidates for posted vacancies.
Citing example, Umeonyido said that a female candidate has been considered as the top choice in a pool of applicants for the role of Reach Stacker and Empty Handler Operator, who operates yard handling equipment for moving containers between vessels and yard operations.
“Our immediate focus is clear: to tap into a broader and more diverse pool .
AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
