DURA PACK WORKERS EMBARK ON STRIKE OVER DEATH OF COLLEAGUE
Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR)
Press Statement
DURA PACK WORKERS EMBARK ON STRIKE OVER DEATH OF COLLEAGUE
CDWR DEMAND ADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR FAMILY OF DECEASED AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES FOR WORKERS
It was a sad day for workers of Dura Pack Industry Ltd. when their colleague, Mr. Kenneth, died while at work on Tuesday April 16, 2013 by 3pm. Kenneth was an electrician with the company and died by electric shock while carrying out repair work without safety work tools like hand-gloves, boots, etc. More so, the company does not have a clinic or sick bay that can address emergency cases on a First Aid basis. Dura Pack, a Chinese owned company, produces nylon bags.
Since then, workers have embarked on strike action while the owners of the company have locked out workers. Workers, most of whom are casuals at the company, are denied the right to belong to a union of their choice. Indeed, some workers were sacked in 2009 when they tried to introduce unionism.
The workers complained that there are little or no safety measures and safety tools to work with. In fact, some of the workers showed proof of burns on their bodies, particularly on their hands because they are made to pack hot nylon bags with bare hands.
The workers are demanding compensation for the family of deceased; they are also demanding adequate safety tools and clinic within the company and the right to belong to a union. The workers are agitating for increment in salary; casual workers presently earn N19,000 while the few regular staff earn about N23,000.
Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) hereby demands that the management of Dura Pack Industry Ltd. should without delay pay adequate compensation to the family of Mr. Kenneth, allow the workers to get unionized and provide enough safety tools and better working conditions for all workers. We are also demanding an end to casualisation in the company, which has become a major policy in the company. We call to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to wade into the matter in order to defend workers interest and end this slavery.