‘Exploitation’: NLC pickets MTN office in Kano

Kano state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, yesterday picketed the Kano office of MTN on the directive of the national headquarters of the Congress.
Our correspondent learnt that officials of the Labour union had stormed the MTN office at exactly 6am, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “we are opposed to exploitation” and “no to the attitude of engaging casual workers,” while others read “we are in support of unionism in the service.” Addressing hundreds of workers at the MTN office shortly on arrival, the Kano state chapter Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, said they were at the MTN office to draw the attention of the management to the continuous exploitation of workers and the failure of the management to allow the formation of workers’ union.
Minjibir said workers in the employ of the organisation had been operating on casual basis without having the assurance of being permanently employed, adding that the NLC was worried about the failure of the management to allow workers to form s trade union with the aim of addressing knotty issues affecting the welfare and remuneration of workers.
He said: “80% of workers in the MTN service had been engaged on casual basis.
What is most disturbing is the way and manner the attitude of engaging casual workers is given priority.
We see it as a subtle way of exploiting humanity and the NLC Will never fold its arms and allow such a rot to be perpetuated.
“We have been directed by the National Headquarters of the NLC to picket this office, even though we are not here to disrupt your day to day operations.
The issue of saying no to the formation of a union means the issue of exploiting workers would continue.” Responding, on behalf of the MTN management in Kano, the Assistant Senior Manager, Alhaji Abdulhamid Hassan, said the management was currently holding consultation on the issues with a view to finding a lasting solution.