Democratic Socialist Movement

For Struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria

By - DSM

Proscription of workers unions is an infringement on workers democratic right;


Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights

Oyo State Chapter 27th October, 2013 PRESS STATEMENT

THE LINGERING CRISIS AT COCOA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF NIGERIA (CRIN):

Proscription of workers unions is an infringement on workers democratic right;

NLC and TUC Solidarity support is needed urgently!

The Oyo State Chapter of the Campaign for Democratic Workers Right (CDWR) condemns the despotic tendency recently displayed by Chief Francis Fadahunsi, the newly appointed board Chairman of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State. On his first visit to the Institute on Tuesday, 22nd October, 2103, the chairman arbitrarily pronounced the proscription of all workers’ unions in the institute and suspension of some management staff over spurious allegation that they instigated the labour crisis in the Institute. He also threatened to henceforth stop the salary of workers of the Institute.

This action is not only reminiscent of the inglorious era of military dictatorship but also a brazen attack on the democratic right of the workers of the Institute. Besides, this is going to definitely deepen and exacerbate the unfortunate and lingering industrial crisis that has been rocking the Institute since July this year over the anti-worker conducts and corrupt practices of the Executive Director of the institute Prof. Malachy Akoroda. The Director who was accused of high handedness, denial of workers promotion, diversion of research materials for his personal use etc.

In view of this, CDWR demands that Chief Fadahunsi must immediately tender an unreserved apology to the workers of the Institute for describing them as “hoodlums” for the mere fact that they refused to be silenced in their legitimate fight against the corrupt practices of Prof. Akoroda. We also insist that the salary of the Institute workers must not be stopped for any reason what so ever! We also demand full recognition of the workers right to organize and participate in union activities and an immediate reversal of the decision made by Chief Fadahunsi to proscribe all workers unions in the Institute.

We hereby warn and caution both Prof. Akorada and Chief Fadahunsi to henceforth desist from using police and other government security agencies to unlawfully disperse the lawful and legitimate gathering of workers in the institute as well as undue harassment and attack on the leadership of the existing unions in the institute.

The CDWR calls on Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), civil society organizations and national leadership of the existing unions in the Institute to immediately lend solidarity supports to the ongoing struggle of workers of the Institute with a view to forcing on the management and board of the Institute an urgent need to reverse all these draconian pronouncement and accede to the demands of the protesting CRIN workers.

The CDWR also commends the entire workers in the institute particularly their leadership for demonstrating courage and doggedness in the struggle to defend the inalienable right of entire workers of the Institute even in the face of all kinds of unlawful attacks and intimidation by Prof. Akoroda-led management and Chief Fadaunsi -led Board of the institute. We urge the entire workers to be more determined and strategic on the urgent need to build more public sympathy and support for the struggle.

Abiodun Bamigboye (Abbey Trotsky)
Oyo State Coordinator
Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR)
E-mail: [email protected]