Etisalat: HUAWEI sacks over 100 Nigerian engineers

By Moses John Abuja

Th e crisis rocking the telecommunication network provider, Etisalat Nigeria yesterday turned another dimension as one of it’s key strategic partners, HUAWEI technology relieved over one hundred Nigerian engineers of their jobs. Th e workers who said they work with the company for over eight years, protested over the sacked, as it was done without due process. As early as 6 am yesterday, over one hundred of the workers gathered outside the premises of Etisalat in Wuse 2, Abuja, carrying placards with diff erent inscriptions: we want all sacked workers recalled, we are not slaves, and due process must be follow in sacking workers”.

Chairman of Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN), Comrade Koledade Owa, who address the workers told Blueprint that” precisely Th ursday and Friday, while our members were doing their work, they got a phone call that they have been sacked and was asked to vacate the premises. According to him, “We saw it as anti labour practice. Because when they were employed, it was not done on phone and so we believe if there is any reasons to lay off anyone, it shouldn’t be through the phone.

After much pressure, they now sent them an email, that they should vacate the premises within 24 hours. “And the content of the mail stated that as follow up to earlier discussion, your appointment is terminated and you are to vacate the premises within 24 hours. Even though there was no discussion with the workers representative on this matter.” Comrade Owa said the aff ected workers were not given severance package, adding that some of them were not paid last month. “So what we want is that all those sacked must be recalled, and if there is need to lay off anyone, it must be done with dignity and respect’. Also speaking one of the aff ected staff who sought for anonymity said” We have been trample upon severally, I won’t lie to you none of these workers are happy because we have been working in this company for years, no promotion and no other benefi ts.

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