Labour pickets ZTE over exploitation of Nigerian workers

The United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC) and Private Telecommunication and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria‎ (PTECSSAN) have picketed ZTE Communication in Lagos over the exploitation and violations of the rights of its Nigerians workers.
The picketing which took place at the premises of ZTE Communication‎ was to demand total compliance with provision of Nigeria labour laws and a halt of abuse of Nigerian workers.
Speaking with Daily Times, the National President of PTECSSAN‎ Oladapo Sunday Moses said, “ZTE is a Chinese telecoms company providing telecom equipment, telecom site construction and maintenance services in Nigeria”

“Since its launch in Nigeria, ZTE has continued to indulge in all manner of abuses to siphon foreign exchange out of the Nigerian economy through expatriate quota abuse. Chinese youths without any skills are brought in, earning bogus salaries and end up being trained by Nigerians who earn only a little fraction of the Chinese pay. Painfully, the Nigerian staff have no permanent contract, are under constant threat of being sacked while the ZTE management has refused to recognise the workers union as freely expressed by the workers.”

According to Moses, ZTE preferred the workers to belong to a Union of the company’s choice that gives the management of ZTE the free-will to oppress Nigerian workers, sack workers and keep workers in slave working relationship outside the conditions of service.‎

Moses noted that the union was demanding for ZTE to stop expatriate quota trafficking. “We cannot be slaves in our own land. No to contract slavery, stop bringing in Jobless Chinese youths to be trained by Nigerians, Nigerians are Jobless, ‎stop expatriate quota trafficking, employ Nigerians Now. 70 per cent Chinese, 30 per cent Nigerians, is unacceptable and also they should ‎stop wage apartheid, Nigerians and Chinese must earn same pay for same work.” He added that: “The Company also engage naive Chinese youths who have no skills, paying them bogus salaries after which they end up being trained by Nigerians who earn only a little fraction of the amount paid to the Chinese.

“Painfully, the Nigerian staff have no permanent contract, are under constant threat of being sacked while the ZTE management has refused to recognise the workers Union, PTECSSAN and has refused to remit deducted workers check up dues into the union’s account”.
However, after over two hours of picketing, the ZTE management gave in to the angling of ULC and came to terms with the union’s demands.

The ULC was represented by the General Secretary Didi Adodo and Deputy General Secretary Comrade Onyeka Chris and NUPENG Chairman Lagos, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo.
Comrade Tokunbo Korodo commended the security agents and members for their maximum cooperation all through the picketing exercise, “noting that much can be achieved if such culture of civility is maintained by Nigerian security agents.

While addressing members and Journalists Comrade Chris Onyeka said that the issues raised have been adequately addressed and that the result would be seen within the next seven days.

He noted that, ZTE has been made to comply with labour laws, as well as recognise unionism by according full recognition to PTECSSAN and have also relinquished the initially withheld dues.

“They also pledged to remain compliant and open to negotiation with the union, till agreement is reached within seven days from now, hence forth, no staff shall be victimised, and also an MoU has been signed.” Onyeka said.
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