The management of Coleman Wires and Cables, Arepo, says it has been consistent in the payment of workers salaries and other benefits.
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The company’s Administration Manager, Mr Fatai Adebimpe, made this known on Saturday following allegations by some company’s workers alleging refusal to pay their entitlement after which they embarked on strike.
Adebimpe, said in a statement, that the management took the welfare of its workers in high esteem.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the workers, including the trainees had on March 20 embarked on strike requesting for increment in salaries.
“There is no time we owe workers salary, even when the company had financial challenges.
“We ensure prompt payment of staff salaries, even to one of our staff who died.
“Recently, the company purchased a bus for the convenience of our workers,” he said.
Earlier, the national leaders of Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria (SEWUN), had written a letter to the Coleman on the need to intervene in the matter.
The letter was jointly signed by the union’s National President, Mr Elijah Adigun, and the Deputy General Secretary, Mr P. E Okonma.
The duo said: “We refer to the trade dispute between our union and your management as it relates to the non-implementation of the 2019 National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) collective agreement dated Oct. 8, 2019 for the benefit of your employees.
“Kindly note that in the circumstance that we find ourselves, we have no opinion than to prevail on our member-workers in your company to withdraw their services in the event that you fail to implement the NJIC collective agreement on or before March 19, 2020.”
Adebimpe said the management, in responding to the letter, promised to look into the NJIC collective agreement.
He said the management unanimously agreed that the issue of communication gap should not be allowed to be a barrier.
“Hence, the management promises to look into the training of workers once a year and also educate the staff during the company’s end of the year party, ” Adebimpe added.
He said that a reconciliatory meeting to resolve all issues raised was organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ogun, which is to hold on March 26.
Adebimpe said the management had decided not to attend the meeting, as workers, in spite of the agreements reached, decided to embark on strike.
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