8th December, 2010
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights, CDWR, has condemned in strong terms the sacking of 226 workers over their agitation for unionisation and payment of their yearly bonuses by the management of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, PAN.
CDWR disclosed in a press statement signed by the National Secretary, Mr.Victor Osakwe, that the management of PAN had sacked all 226 workers of the industrial Division on Monday, 29 November, this year for attempting to inaugurate a trade union. CDWR recalled that the management of PAN, under the leadership of Alhaji Sani Dauda, five years ago had unlawfully sacked all the union executives which was what gave birth to the consistent and arbitrarily sack of workers among other anti-workers activities.
“The management of PAN had violated Nigeria’s constitution by depriving workers of their right. Workers have the right to express themselves freely, assemble and associate freely as guaranteed in section 39 and 40 of the 1999 constitution respectively,â€Â CDWR stated.
The group, therefore ,urge the management of PAN to immediately recall all 226 sacked workers without any loss of pay and allowances including their annual bonuses.
CDWR also declared its support for the workers in other departments for embarking on a solidarity strike action with the victimised workers.
“We encourage the workers to sustain this solidarity strike as a means to force the management to reverse its actions and we are also calling on the Kaduna State leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to intervene on behalf of the victimised workers.†CDWR said.
—Adeyera Olubunmi
