AUTOBATE kicks as Nigerdock sacks 13 workers
By Joy Obakeye
The Automobile Boatyards Transport Equipment and Allied Senior Association, (AUTOBATE), affiliate of Trade Union Congress, has raised an alarm over the unlawful sack of its members by the Nigerdock FZE.
The National President, Comrade Michael Ugwuadu, in a press conference recently, described the sack as unlawful and an unfair treatment to it’s members especially in these challenging times of economic recession and rising cost of living in the country.
On February 24, 2023, the management of Nigerdock FZE unilateral and arbitrarily declared 13 members of the union redundant and terminated their employment contracts without due process and consultation, the president disclosed.
According to him, the action violates section 20 of the labour Acts which stipulates that an employer who wishes to reduce it’s workers must inform the trade Union or workers representatives and the federal ministry of labour and employment of the reasons for and extent of the anticipated redundancy.
The president told newsmen that they tried reaching Nigerdock FZE for social dialogue and bargaining, but was disregarded.
He said; ” despite our repeated attempts to engage the management in constructive dialogue, mediation and conciliation meetings at the federal ministry of labour and employment, Ikoyi, they have been unyielding to comply with the existing collective bargaining agreement and extant labour laws on redundancy. They have also failed to pay the affected workers their full entitlements and benefits as stipulated in the agreement.”
The union decried that this is not the first time the management of Nigerdock FZE has acted in bad faith and violated labour rights.
In August 2022, the union said, they also affected a similar redundancy that affected 17 members of the union without following due process and consultation.
It said, at that time, they declared a trade dispute and referred the matter to the federal ministry of labour and employment, Ikoyi, where the management was reprimanded and ordered to reinstate the affected workers or pay them adequate compensation but the management has not compiled with the order till date.
The General Secretary, Comrade Lai Brown who also rejected the action, said the union is demanding that all affected workers must be reinstated with full remuneration, management of Nigerdock FZE must comply with existing collective bargaining agreements, put an end to precarious working conditions in Nigerdock FZE and comply with extant labour laws.
On the way forward, the president said, they have decided to escalate the matter to the federal ministry of labour and employment, Abuja for a fair and expedited resolution.
He called on the Ministry, to intervene urgently and decisively in this matter and ensure that justice is done for their members, and their affiliate, Trade Union Congress to take serious actions in solidarity with the workers who have been subjected to unfair labour practices by the management of Nigerdock FZE.
