By Mike Adeyemi
Efforts by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to broker peace between the management of United Foam Product Nigeria Limited, Ilorin office and aggrieved workers, have proved futile, National Pilot can report.
Consequently, no fewer than 134 workers have been disengaged from service of the manufacturing company.
Recall that this medium had earlier reported that about 200 workers were laid off over alleged pay rise demand.
The sacked former staff had staged protest penultimate week to kick against the sack.
It was, however, learnt that about 66 of the workers who were earlier laid off were reabsorbed by the company following reconsideration by the management.
One of the sacked workers, Shuaib Abdullahi, who spoke to this medium at the company premises, Asa Dam road, Ilorin, Kwara State on Friday, said the intervention by the NLC to resolve the issue, was to no avail
“The NLC met with the company’s lawyer and the Divisional Police Officer of Surulere over the issue, but the effort did not yield positive result.
“The management said it had recruited new staff to fill the post of the aggrieved workers and that the decision is irreversible.
“We asked to be compensated if the company cannot re-absorb us but the management initially refused to yield to this plea, but later acceded to our request,” he explained.
Abdullahi disclosed that the sacked workers and the company lawyer have entered into agreement and had to sign an agreement to this effect.
“The management of the company however said, whoever wished to continue working with the company should re-apply as a casual with a wage of N1,000 per day.
“Whereas before the industrial crisis casual workers were paid 45,000 per month as salary,” he said.
The disengaged worker then urged the state government to come to the aid of sacked staff by engaging those productive so that they don’t resort to crime for survival.
When contacted, the state Chairman Nigeria Labour Union, Yekini Agunbiade, said the union could not go far in the struggle because the chemical union of the company has not been duly registered with NLC.
All efforts by our reporter to speak with the management of the company proved abortive, as none of the top staff was ready to speak to the press.
