TheCable

Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday protested at MTN offices in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Abia and Bayelsa over alleged exploitation of workers in the company.

NAN reports that NLC members carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘respect rule of law’, ‘we say no to casualisation’ and ‘workers rights must be protected’.

Dele Kolade, the deputy president, National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employee (NUPTE), told journalists in Abuja that the union would continue to picket MTN until its demands are met.

“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.

“The company has been doing all manners of things and no incentives; it doesn’t pay the social security just because it doesn’t want to pay social protection such as pension and other things.”

Kabiru Ado Minjibir, NLC chairman, Kano chapter, said the company is operating against standards set by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) treaty.

“The action also became inevitable as the company has refused to heed to advice to stop its inhuman treatment of workers,” he said.

“About 80% of the staff are casuals and they are not allowed to unionise, which is against the International Labour Organisation (ILO) treaty.

“The NLC will not fold its arms and allow enslavement of our fellow citizens in their own country with actions that contravenes Article 98 of the 1989 workers convention.”

In response to the protests, MTN said: “Today’s violence and the needless destruction of property is deeply 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.”