AT Westport, team spirit runs high. There is much latitude at work and divisions between management and labour is blurred, hence creating a. communal and relaxed work environment. Understanding the mechanics of people power, to produce outstanding performance, soaring productivity and to weather business cycles.
Winning the award for Competent Employers Facing Competitive Globalisation from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in conjunction with the national Labour Day celebrations this year was hence a well-earned major milestone towards its vision to be an employer of choice.The secret of success of West port is none other than the collection of highly skilled workforce it has developed through the right training and development as well as motivational and team building sessions.
As executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam put it, the Taj Mahal was not built by Emperor Shah Jahan but by a pool of highly-skilled craftsmen and dedicated workers. And, Westport is home to such a skilled workforce.Besides salary and attractive benefits, the employees also enjoy excellent incentive schemes as a reward for their hard work.
Westport's incentive scheme is two-fold, where it only acts as a stimulus in constantly motivating its core operations employees but also to promote healthy competition among workers.The scheme rewards non-executive of operations staff, ranging from equipment operator at the port terminal to operations support staff, based on their productivity achieved.The incentive scheme is paid according to every container moved by the individual terminal equipment operator, who in this case, maybe a quay crane, rubber tyre gantry or prime mover operators.
For the maintenance team, it will be based on mean time between breakdowns and maintenance. In the case of stowage clerks, vessel planners, yard planners, berth planners, container terminal control and gate staff, incentives are based on current weekly vessel productivity scheme. In short, Westport maintains productivity and its competitive edge by setting the standards in the industry by remunerating its staff adequately.
Looking at the number of top-notch performers in the company, it is no wonder that Westport is able to rise to the challenges and brighter fortunes of tomorrow. Annually, 21 top Terminal Equipment Operators and another 21 non- TEOs are honoured with certificates and monetary incentives for having performed beyond the call of duty and inducted in Westport's Hall of Fame. Personal and professional development opportunities are also care fully thought of for all employees.
In addition to local programmes, several overseas courses, including stints at Overseas Port Training and attachment programmes have been incorporated to give added practical exposure to employees. On July 22, 2003, Azmi and Govindrajo became "Westport Heroes" when they achieved a remarkable record of moving containers at a rate of 72 and 71 moves per hour (mph) respectively on board MY Johan Amber. Two world records were also set on March 17 last year, first by moving 342 moves per hour (mph) and later, by improving it with another record-breaking feat of 368 mph on MV Peninsular Bay of CMA-CGM.
The feats shattered the previous mark of 340 mph held by PSA set on April 26, 2000. A knowledge-based workforce is also the aspiration of the company when it launched a resource centre equipped with an IT laboratory plus access to the Harvard University Resource Library. Apart from a fully-equipped ultra modern gymnasium, the Westport Sport Club was formed and it annually organises at least 25 activities.
Taking the employees involvement in sports one step higher and encouraging sportsmanship, potential employees are sent to represent Westport at the Malaysian Ports Sports meet and the Asean Ports Association meeting. Westport has implemented various attractive staff benefits which provide for a salary advance, children's education assistance scheme and subsidised interest for housing, car and motorcycle loans. Other benefits include loans for further education, financial assistance for bereavement expenses and retirement benefits as well as financial solution for employees grappling with financial constraints
The NST, 10 September 2004 |
