Casual workers of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) registered by the Ghana Dock Labour Company (GDLC), a limited liability company, yesterday started work with the private stevedoring companies at the two ports of Tema and Takoradi.

This follows restructuring preparations the GPHA made to cede cargo handling at the two ports to private operators.

The arrangement forms part of the government's gateway programme, Mr Gordon Anim, Director of Tema Port, told a press briefing on Wednesday.

He said so far 4,000 casual workers made up of 3,000 from Tema and 1,000 at Takoradi have been absorbed by six stevedoring companies.

The companies are Express Maritime, Atlantic Ports Services (APS), Speedline, Golden Gate Services, Dashwood and Carltedemann.

Under the new system, the stevedoring companies own 70 per cent shares in the labour Company, the Maritime and Dockworkers Union (MDU), 20 per cent while the GPHA has 10 per cent.

Mr Anim explained that the dockworkers would now have "defined" conditions of service under one employer, who will in turn provide labour to port operators.

The Director of Port said the GPHA has already paid severance money totalling 20 billion cedis to the affected employees.

He said under the new arrangement, the workers' service conditions would include social security, provident fund and provision of protective clothing, among other things that are necessary for smooth operations at the ports.Mr Anim expressed optimism that the streamlined procedures for engagement and conditions of service of the workers would positively affect ship turn round time, as well as promote the image of the port and also create the enabling environment for private sector investors and operators.