Unions protests over mass laid of workers at Lagos

The Lagos State Water Corporation sacked 391 employees, and on Wednesday, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service, Technical, and Recreational Service Employees demonstrated against the terminations.

A number of demonstrators marched from Ikeja Under-bridge to the state House of Assembly in Alausa, to show their displeasure over the layoffs.

The protesters bemoaned that this was coming following the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians.

The workers were joined by other unions, such as the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies.

The protesters were armed with placards bearing inscriptions, such as “Sanwo-Olu, go after contractors, leave staff alone,” “Respect the constitution” “Do not scapegoat us over the corruption of water corporation management,” among others.

The LWC reportedly disengaged the workers on April 15, 2024, saying it was part of its ongoing restructuring efforts to enhance operational efficiency and meet the evolving demands of the organisation.

But the unions affected by the sacking contended that the move violated Section 20 of the Labour Act, requiring an employer to notify the trade union or workers’ representative of the reasons for and the extent of the redundancy before terminating the employment of its staff on account of redundancy.

Speaking with one of our correspondents on Tuesday night, the Lagos State Secretary of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Oloruntoba Odumosu, said the association had petitioned the Head of Service in the state on May 3, 2024, asking that the sacked workers be recalled.

“A meeting was held today (Tuesday), not in response to the letter, but they acknowledged receipt of it. They said no going back. They even went ahead to pay the five-month redundancy payment.”

Juwon Sanyaolu, speaking during the protest on Wednesday, the National Coordinator, Take It Back Movement, who joined the workers in the protest, demanded the reversal of the saction.

“We are joining the workers in the protest because what happened was an unjust dismissal. The governments, led by President Bola Tinubu at the federal level and Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos State level, are treating Nigerians, especially these helpless workers, with levity,” Sanyaolu said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the LWC, Kehinde Fashola, said, “Only the Managing Director can speak on the matter.”

Gbenga Omotoso, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, while placed calls on him, he did not respond to his mobile line neither reply to a text message by our correspondent.