PETALING JAYA: Azmi Ashaari begins each working day -hoping to surpass his previous performance target.

As one of the top 10 quay crane operators (QC operators) at Westport, his best result was back on July 22, where he accomplished, 72 moves per hour' on board the Johan Amber.

But Azmi is not alone in wanting to set daily targets. There are 106 other QC operators at Westport, and for all of them - speed and productivity are their daily mantra - as they try to outdo each other. Their dedication to their job and work ethics have not gone unnoticed nor unrewarded at Westport.

Since January this year, a special incentive scheme for top performing individuals has been introduced by their employer.

Incentives are paid according to the number of containers moved by an individual QC operator. An efficient "fast worker" like Azmi can easily earn up to RM6oo a month as incentive payment for his efforts. .

Attractive staff benefits are the reason behind staff productivity and staff loyalty at Westport.

Salary advance, a children's education assistance scheme, subsidized home purchase and education loans, personal and work insurance coverage, retirement benefits and the Westport Consultative

Club Loan are among the many rewards Westport's 2,000 employees can look forward to.

Executive Chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam pointed out that a "supply-driven inspiration" in order to keep the port ahead of the pack is important and this is another reason why the port is growing in popularity.

Westport's endeavours can be judged by its continuous record-breaking accomplishments.

An impressive 204 moves per hour was performed on the Regina Maersk on Aug 24, 1998. This record was beaten four times over with the highest registered at 368 moves on March 17 this year.