AUTOBOTS laments sack of workers in Nigerdock

The leadership of Automobile Boatyards Transport Equipment and Allied Senior Staff Association (AUTOBATE) has condemned the sack of over 10 workers by the management of Nigerdock FZE.

The union disclosed this in a statement by the General Secretary of the union, Comrade Lai Brown.

According to the statement, “We posit that the discharge of the workers on 23 February 2023 on the ground of redundancy is unjustified and illegitimate. It must be noted that while hiring and firing are within the functions of every management, such must be done and seen to be fair and in compliance with labour laws and global standards.”

“We want to put the public and government agencies including the Ministry of Labour on notice of violation of workers’ rights and unfair labour practices in Nigerdock FZE.

The union explained that the management of Nigerdock on Thursday 23 February 2023 issued termination letters to over 20 workers on the ground of redundancy without negotiation or dialogue with the workers’ representatives. Section 20 of the Nigeria Labour Act (2004), makes it abundantly clear that management shall, to their best, negotiate redundancy with the workers’ representatives.

“Although this is not the first time the management of Nigerdock has perpetuated a similar act of violation of extant labour laws. In August 2022, over 21 workers were discharged without concluding negotiation with the Unions.”

“That was done in an attempt to short-change the workers and deny them their full entitlement. AUTOBOTS fought that to the level of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where the management was rebuked for unlawful conduct. It must be known that at the end of conciliation at the Federal Ministry of Labour in August 2022, the management was forced to enter a fairer and thoroughly discussed agreement with the Union.”

“The management has not learned a lesson or is deliberately mischievous and anti-workers. We boldly assert that the culture of illegitimate redundancy, labour casualization and violation of workers’ rights are evidence of ills and everything that is wrong with the privatization of the once renowned and largest Nigerian Maritime Company. We declare our lack of confidence in the current management of Nigerdock.”