Some security operatives were allegedly assaulted yesterday by casual workers of a company in Matori, a Lagos surbub. they were protesting what they call “unfavourable working conditions.”
The protesters, who paralysed social and commercial activities on Fatai Atere Way and its environs, allegedly attacked policemen drafted to the scene.
But for the quick intervention of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), the workers, it was learnt,would have injured the first team of officers that arrived on the scene.
The Nation learnt that the RRS operatives shot into the air to prevent the aggrieved workers from damaging the company’s facilities.
For over three hours,workers barricaded both ends of the ever busy Fatai Atere Way with bonfires made of disused tyres chanting war songs.
Motorists and commutters were forced to change routes.
The workers said they were protesting against poor salary, non-confirmation of appointment of those who have spent over seven years in service, non-provision of industrial accident insurance and non-payment of over time allowance. They also alleged that the firm owed them seven months salary.
One of them said: “We have casual workers, contract workers and confirmed staff. Anyone employed will first come in as a casual worker. After some donkey years, he would be promoted to contract worker and only God knows how many years one will stay to become a confirmed staff, yet they are owing some workers seven months salary.
“They even call us black monkeys; they are from Asian countries- the Koreans. We are paid wages but they put 15 days as number of days to get our basic salary which they put at N13, 000 per month but we are demanding N1, 500 per day.”
Another worker said: “For store workers, we want to be paid N2, 000 per day with bonus of N1, 500. We work from 8am to 6pm and 7pm at times. Some have worked for five to six years without being converted to permanent staff.”
Efforts to contact the management failed, as an official told our reporter: “You have to come back.”
A statement by the contract employees reads: “The entire contract staff of OK Sweets of Olam is strictly aggressive with the way the company is handling the increment of contract staff and salary and their promotions.
“An agreement was made between the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) and the company in 2010 that contract staff will be in appointment for three years after which he or she would be given confirmation.”
The Nation gathered that the basic salary for a contract worker is N8, 000 but the workers are demanding that it be increased to N15, 000.
They alleged that a factory worker and a National Youth Service Corps member died working for the company but no compensation has been paid the bereaved families.
It took the police teams from Operations Department of Police Headquarters at GRA Ikeja and patrol teams from Area D and policemen from Olosa Division to restore peace and free the road for motorists. The security operatives also rescued some officers who were seized by the workers when they attempted to stop them from blocking the roundabout at the Ladipo market end of Fatai Atere way.
