Dangote workers down tools, demand payoff

Workers of Dangote Flour Mills Plc in Calabar, Cross River State, have commenced an indefinite strike to protest against the non-payment of their gratuities following the sale of the mill to a South-African firm, Tiger Brand.

They are also  protesting against the ongoing reorganisation and the transfer of their services to Tiger Brand without their involvement.

The workers started the strike last Friday.

Efforts by our correspondent to speak with the company management on the crisis, proved abortive as its gates, located on the premises of the Nigerian Ports Authority in Calabar, were locked.

It was gathered via a memo, communicating the transfer of the ownership of Dangote Flour Mills to Tiger Brand dated September 30, that the workers’ gratuities would be paid.

However, another memo entitled, ‘Payment of Gratuity’ and dated November 5, and signed by the Deputy Managing Director of the company, Mr. Ekanem Etim, and the General Manager, Human Resources/Administration, Mr. Mustapha Ibrahim, stated that the management had shelved the payment of the gratuities.

While the workers were trying to negotiate with management on how to resolve the issue, another memo ‘Re-Staff Gratuities’ dated December 12 and endorsed by Thabi Segoale, on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of Dangote, noted that gratuities would only be paid to workers, who wanted to resign from the company.

It added, “Due to the current financial position of the company, Executive Management has resolved to outsource the management of the gratuity entitlements to an independent financial institution to manage the funds on behalf of the company.

“It is important to note that members will not receive any immediate pay out but shall be entitled to a full settlement when leaving the services of the company. In addition, this will remain a closed scheme for those qualified as at September 30, 2012 only and no new members will be admitted.”

Source: PUNCH