Eko Atlantic Workers Protest Poor Welfare Package

Employees of South Energy Nigeria Limited handling the Eko Atlantic project at Victoria Island, Lagos State, on Wednesday, embarked on a peaceful demonstration over failure of the management to improve their salaries and welfare package.

The workers also complained about the casualisation of workers introduced by the management.

The workers, on Wednesday afternoon, were seen barricading the major gates of the company and adjoining Ahmadu Bello Way, carrying placards and obstructing free flow of traffic.

A worker, Mr Ibrahim Azeez, told reporters that the company had breached the terms they earlier agreed on as salary and entitlement, which was based on equivalent of 100 dollars per day per worker.

"We agreed that the company should pay us according the advert on their site as 100 dollars per day for a worker," Azeez said.

According to him, the management of the company is paying them far less than the agreed amount.

Another worker, Mr Philomenon Chukwuka, said that there was no provision for transportation for workers.

"Most of the workers cannot go home after the day’s work, so we always sleep around here till the following day," he said.

Mr Jude Egba said that there was no good clinic facility to take care of any worker that sustained injury while on duty.

"They are denying us of many rights, especially the medical aspect; we are not given adequate treatment if we sustain injury on the site.

"We need staff appraisal based on merit which will motivate the workers to put in their best," Egba said.

Addressing the protesting workers, Mr David Frame, Managing Director, South Energy Nigeria Limited, promised them that the company would review the conditions of service.

Frame said that there would be no more casual workers and requested that they should select five of their members for a roundtable meeting to dialogue on their other demands.

"I understand your grievances and out of your demands, I can assure you that the most important thing will be done.

"As I said, there will be no more casual workers and some of you should come and let us dialogue and see how we will resolve the rest of your demands," Frame said.

Mr Oyewole Emmanuel, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Victoria Island, deployed officers to ensure security and also mediate between the management and the workers.

Source: Tribune

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