NLC pickets MTN Over Workers Casualisation

By Fathia Jimoh, Abeokuta

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC on Monday joined their counterparts nationwide to shut down all MTN outlets in Ogun State for failing to adhere to labour law.

Ambali at MTN Office

The NLC led by their State Chairman, Akeem Ambali stormed the Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta head office as early as 7am to carry out the three-days nationwide closed down on MTN.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the closed down, the State NLC Chairman, Alhaji Akeem Ambali stated that, the action was in compliance with National Executive Council directive for MTN's deliberate refusal to unionized their staff, describing it as 'modern slavery'.

NLC members at MTN Office on Monday

Comrade Ambali accused the telecommunication company of anti-labour policies for limiting the career progression and casualisation of their workers. 

The NLC boss noted that, NLC together with National Union of Postal and Telecommunication, NUPTE and National Employers Consultative Council had earlier engaged the telecommunication company for the implementation of the Nigerian labour law.

He added that,  the union also met with MTN in December, 2017 and gave them six months ultimatum for the implementation of the Labour policies, which MTN reneged, an action he described as 'Rigidity'. 

"This action was carried out for the deliberate refusal of MTN to unionized their members, we see the action as an attempt to enslave them. 

"We also know that there are so many anti-labour policies being implemented by MTN, denying people right to association, denying them regular promotion, casualisation of workers and deliberate policy of limiting the career progression of Nigerian MTN workers".

"This action is a three days warning for MTN and other telecommunications companies in Nigeria and if within three days they failed to meet up with our demands, we shall press for seven days closed down".