The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) stormed the head office of MTN Nigeria in Lagos on Monday to protest the company’s alleged anti-labour activities.
NLC, along with the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employee (NUPTE), also picketed MTN offices in Abuja, Rivers, Enugu, Kano, Bauchi, Bayelsa and other locations.
At the head office in Ikoyi, Lagos, protesters broke down the gate, pulled down the company’s flag and hoisted the labour union’s in its place.
A staff of the company who spoke under condition of anonymity told Qed.ng that many staff were scared at the sight of the protesters.
“They forced their way into our premises and started destroying whatever catches their fancy. Smoke smoked in the open and kicked at senior staff who attempted to calm them down,” the source said.
NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, told journalists during the picketing that the organised labour would not tolerate deprivation or enslavement of the Nigerian worker.
Mr Wabba said that MTN Nigeria refused to adhere to labour rules and allow its workers to belong to unions.
He said that the picketing was also going on in all MTN state offices.
He said that Nigerian workers deserved occupational health safety, adding that NLC would not allow any company to abuse workers’ right.
“In MTN, all the workers are casual; they have no right to social protection, they are not allowed to freely bargain for a better work condition.
“A worker is sacked after working for three to four months. The worker is asked to re-apply. This is unfair, and we will not continue to allow it,” the NLC president said.
He said that the NLC, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, relevant unions and MTN management from South Africa held a meeting in Abuja on the issues but could not reach an agreement.
“NLC told MTN to respect Nigeria labour laws but it refused; that is why workers are impoverished.
“We do not expect this treatment because it is a multinational company,” he said.
The labour leader said that the organised labour would continue to protest until protection of the workers’ right.
Some of the placards carried by the NLC members at the picketing had inscriptions such as “Nigerian workers are not slaves” and “MTN congested network will decongest workers’ wage”.
In Abuja, Deputy President, NUPTE, Dele Kolade, said the union would continue to picket MTN until its demands are met.
He accused the company of policies that are inconsistent with Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation.
Mr Kolade said MTN does not allow its workers the freedom to unionise or freedom of association.
“MTN has been engaged in giving workers contract appointment as almost all its workers are on three to six months contract appointments and they are not permitted to participate in union activities,” he said.
Reacting, MTN Corporate Relations Executive, Tobechukwu Okigbo, said the action of NLC was saddening.
“As always, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our employees, some of whom were attacked by supposed NLC operatives and have sustained injuries.
“We do not prevent our employees from associating amongst themselves as they deem fit and owe our employees the obligation to ensure they are not compelled to join associations. MTN supports the freedom of association as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
“All workers have rights that should be protected. We work hard to not only ensure that this is done but also to ensure that our company is a Great Place to Work. We will continue to champion our peoples’ rights, whether they are part of a union or not and work hard to minimise disruptions in service to our customers,” Okigbo said.
