JAF SOLIDARISES WITH DURA PACK WORKERS AS THEY CONTINUE PROTEST AGAINST SLAVE LABOUR

By Chinedu Bosah

On October 25, 2013, which was the 19th day since workers of Dura Pack Industries had begun the struggle to demand their rights to belong to a union of their choice, as freely exercised on October 7, 2013, and for better working condition, the Joint Action Front (JAF) held a solidarity rally in support of the workers and their demands. The rally also had in attendance the members of NUCFRLANMPE, the union the workers have joined, Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) and Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR). It was also remarkable that the leadership of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education chapter came on solidarity visit though arrived after the rally had been rounded off.

Abiodun Aremu, National Secretary of JAF, Mr. Babatunde Goke Olatunji, Deputy National President NUCFRLANMPE and Peluola Adewale, National Mobilisation Officer of JAF and a DSM member, addressed workers and the press. Mr. B.G Olatunji, who represented the President of the union, called on workers to remain resolute and said that the union is ready to back their demands till the end. He informed the workers that the union has taken the management of Dura Pack to the National Industrial Court. The workers were encouraged to fight on by the presence of members of the union and pro-labour organisations who came to give solidarity to them. Different placards were brandished by workers to drive home their demands. The placards read thus: “Mr. Law is a slave driver”, “End Casualisation Now”, “Mr. Law must go”, “Respect all Workers Right”, “we want Union of our Choice”, “workers need better working condition” etc.

This rally was a continuation of solidarity actions which CDWR, whose members visit the factory almost on daily basis, has helped organise for the workers. Since the strike started Lanre Arogundade, Coordinator International Press Centre (IPC) and Dagga Tolar, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Ajeromi Ifelodun Chapter, both leading members of DSM, have separately visited and addressed rallies of the workers.

The workers are resolute and determined to continue the strike and protest rallies until management respects their rights. They have even refused to be intimidated by 3 CTV cameras that are positioned to watch activities outside the gate to spot leading workers’ activists for possible victimization. This action of the management explains why it rejected the union’s demand to sign agreement not to victimize workers after the strike actions. The management has also said that workers should come and collect their “pay-off” while refusing to negotiate the pay-off with the union. The management wants to pay workers for the number of days worked in October and reemploy workers anew at a later time in order to continue the slave condition.

The CDWR has been pushing for the management to open factory for all workers to resume without loss of pay and that the union (NUCFRLANMPE) should deepen the solidarity actions by mobilizing other workers at West Africa Rubber Factory to embark on 24 hours solidarity strike action since both companies are part of the Lee Group as a first step towards picketing other companies connected to Dura Pack. The union prefers taking the management to court, which we welcome, but it is shying away from more political and solidarity actions.

Dura Pack workers have been agitating for the following: 1. Right to join a trade union, 2. Increment in salary, 3. Regularisation of workers’ employment to all workers and a new condition of service, 4. Well-structured salary scale including paying workers with pay slips, 4. Reinstatement of Mr. Christian Orji without loss of pay, 6. Adequate safety tools to be provided for all workers, 7. Right to annual, sick leave and holidays without loss of pay, 8. Well-equipped sick bay within the premises, 9. Reduction of work hours.