UPDATED: MTN reacts to NLC’s picketing

Leading telecom giant, MTN Nigeria, has reacted to the picketing of its offices across the country by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday. In a statement made available to Daily Trust in Lagos by MTN’s Corporate Relations Executive, Tobechukwu Okigbo, the firm said it’s not opposed to any of its staff joining any union, […]

Leading telecom giant, MTN Nigeria, has reacted to the picketing of its offices across the country by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday.

In a statement made available to Daily Trust in Lagos by MTN’s Corporate Relations Executive, Tobechukwu Okigbo, the firm said it’s not opposed to any of its staff joining any union, as it encourages freedom of association among staff.

MTN noted that the labour union’s picketing of its offices across Nigeria was unnecessary as the protesters destroyed some of its properties in some of the offices where they picketed.

The telco said it had been involved in protracted talks with the trade union to reach an amicable decision, all to no avail.

It further stated that “on Monday July 9, 2018, officials of the labour congress were at the MTN offices to picket, but MTN in its civil manner, invited the officials into the Headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos, in order to reach unified decisions and prevent any form of violence or incivility.

“However, the protest became violent and disorganized in different locations as properties within MTN premises were vandalized. Doors and gates were destroyed and alleged officials of NLC breached the fences to gain forced entry into the premises. In Ikoyi, MTN flag was lowered and the NLC flag was hoisted in its place.

“Numerous staff of the company were injured in the process of the protests and many assumed the roles of human shields over their colleagues, protecting them from the angry protesters."

Okigbo said further: “Today’s violence and the needless destruction of property is deeply saddening. As always our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our employees, some of whom were attacked by supposed NLC operatives and have sustained injuries.

“We do not prevent our employees from associating amongst themselves as they deem fit and owe our employees the obligation to ensure they are not compelled to join associations. MTN supports the freedom of association as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

“All workers have rights that should be protected. We work hard to not only ensure that this is done but also to ensure that our company is a Great Place to Work. We will continue to champion our peoples’ rights, whether they are part of a union or not and work hard to minimise disruptions in service to our customers.”