March 4, 2014
Thousands of workers waving placards outside the African Fertilizer and Chemicals Company in Agbara in Ogun State, walked off the job today in protest against low wages, sexual harassment and unfair treatment.
Thousands of workers waving placards outside the African Fertilizer and Chemicals Company in Agbara in Ogun State, walked off the job today in protest against low wages, sexual harassment and unfair treatment.
Officers of the Nigerian Police Force rallied as well but the protest was peaceful according to sources.
Another source said a meeting took place between the plant's manager, Mr. Victor Adhaeze, the State Secretary of the Agriculture and Allied Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adanma Aviri, and union executives.
Adhaeze maintains he was not aware workers at the plant were unionized but urged workers to return to work.
Workers formed a union at the plant on February 21 when the Ogun State Branch of Agriculture and Allied Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), an affiliate of the the Nigeria Labour Congress, mobilized and unionized workers.
Under the International Labour Organisation Convention, a treaty ratified by Nigeria, and incorporated in its 1999 Constitution, workers have the freedom of association and protection of the right to organize workers in a union.
State Secretary of AAEUN, Comrade Aviri said the plant's management took part in the inauguration of union executives but then the problems started.
The Safety Manager, who was inaugurated as branch chairman of AAEUN, Mr. Jonathan Abimbola, was questioned by the plants owners and then suspended.
He was told to withdraw from union activities as the company didn't want workers to be unionized. He said, "This company does not operate in line with international best practices as regard safety rules and guidelines. Any time I try to carry out my duty as a safety officer, I am ignored."
Abimbola added, "They {management} go as far as telling me they are just retaining my position so the company would be portrayed to have a safety officer. Last year, a worker died due to injuries sustained in the course of production."
Another worker of the company, Mr. Ezekiel Okanga said after returning from his annual leave in February and due to his active involvement in union activities he was sacked. He claimed to have worked in the company for eight years and was dismissed without any reason.
Comrade Aviri said, "…this violates the agreement reached and signed between AAEUN and company management and further infringes on the rights of the workers to be freely associated with labour union in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
The company's plant manager, said further meetings will take place between union executives.
As of the time of filing this report, workers have returned to work. The Union Branch Chairman and Company Safety Manager, Mr. Abimbola, however, remains suspended and was prevented from entering the Company premises.
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