TheCable

The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) says it will embark on an industrial strike over an alleged refusal of MTN Nigeria to meet workers’ welfare demands.

Opeyemi Tomori, president of the PTECSSAN, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

PTECSSAN claimed that MTN refused the request of its workers despite the federal government’s intervention, and it is giving a 14-day ultimatum starting February 10 for the telco giant to address welfare issues.

According to Tomori, the issues include the non-existence of mutually negotiated exit benefits, discriminatory remuneration or benefits, and inhumane retirement benefits.

“It has become inevitable that our union issues this 14-day ultimatum to alert the public of imminent industrial action,” the statement reads.

“If any of our demands are not met on or before Feb. 23, 2022, we shall be mobilising in conjunction with other sister unions affiliated to Nigeria Labour Congress workers within and outside the company for industrial actions that will force management to grant our demands.

“Also, the disruption of telecoms service may cause MTN network subscribers, and the adverse effect on their businesses, business partners and associates.

“As daunting as those issues raised back then were, it was the firm belief of our union that the collective bargaining agreement, if negotiated in good faith and signed off by both parties, would go a long way in addressing the concerns of the workers in the organisation.

“Unfortunately, the company has remained adamant, insisting that all the workers’ conditions of service as stated in the company’s policy must remain so and cannot be negotiated.

“This negates the agreement they hitherto signed at the ministry of labour to fully negotiate the workers’ condition of service.”

Tomori further urged MTN to lift the restrictions given to some workers from union membership.

TheCable has reached out to MTN for comment.