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Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers - Career - Nairaland

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Shoprite Workers Embark On Protests In Ibadan, Shut Down Company Indefinitely / Wells Carlton Hotel Sacks 200 Workers, Shutdown Operations / Julius Berger Rumored To Have Sacked 400 Workers, Shutdown Work On Lagos-Ibadan (2) (3) (4)

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Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by milann: 10:16am On Apr 03, 2021
Shoprite workers at Lugbe, Abuja, on Friday, embarked on another round of protest, shutting down the company over a row with the management.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4587DDddXJw

Cherish Ogenyi, the unit chairman and coordinator of the northern region of the National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees (NUSDE), an affiliate of the Nigerian Labour Congress, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES described the action as “picketing”.

Cherish Ogenyi, the unit chairman and coordinator of the northern region of the National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees (NUSDE).

“What you see happening here today is just a picketing type of strike, that is what the workers came here to do. Just to picket the entrance of Shoprite. Apparently, in a bid to stop them from trading until our pending proposals and demands are met by the management,” he said.

Following the purchase of Shoprite Nigeria by some Nigerian investors, Mr Ogenyi said the workers are supposed to be paid off and not transferred to the new owners without their consent.

He said, “We held a similar strike on March 2, to which they rushed to the Ministry of Labour to lodge a complaint to them, the Ministry of Labour called us and an MOU was reached and agreed upon.”

Mr Ogenyi explained that one of the contents stipulated in the MoU with the Ministry of Labour in Lagos State was that Shoprite must not hand over on or before April 1, until all the parties come together to negotiate the pending agreement they had.

He said; “It was noted on the proposal that they are supposed to pay us off as workers, but we understand that gratuity is not obtainable under the Nigerian Labour Act. It has been expunged in 2004 Act as amended and is being replaced with pension act.


Under the same Labour Act, he said, “we have redundancy and when an entity is sold, the employee role under the old employer becomes redundant.”

Also, the NUSDE official stated that they also took cognisance of some of the clauses in the Nigerian Labour Act, especially sections 10 (I) & (II) which state that employees must not be transferred to another employer without first seeking the consent of such an employee.

Mr Ogenyi added that subsection (II) said after such consent has been granted, it is the duty of an authorised labour officer to endorse the consent.

“The company told us that the people who bought them, bought the workers. To us it is an insult because to us it is pure human trafficking and we will not accept it,” he said.

He said they have been going to Lagos to negotiate with the Shoprite management, but that they told them that they cannot pay redundancy to every worker because they’re not asking anybody to go, and that any worker who is not comfortable with them being transferred automatically without seeking their consent should resign.

Mr Ogenyi said they were told that because if they should pay off their experienced workers, the business would collapse under the new workers, but that they (NUSDE) asked them to terminate their existing contract, then allow interested workers to sign another MoU with the new employer.

“That way, whoever is comfortable with the new employer should stay, those who are not should be allowed to go,” he said.

Another worker, Gideon Akasin, who was seen seated on a table placed by the entrance of the shopping mall, carrying a placard with the inscription ” Save our souls, pay us our terminal benefits,” said the challenge they are having is that the company has been sold off, and that they have refused to pay them off.

“We have been trying to negotiate with them, but they seem to be tricky with our members. They keep tossing them around by asking them to come today, tomorrow and the next, we’re tired of such tricks,” the worker said.

Mr Akasin, who has been working with Shoprite for over five years said: “We are demanding for pay off, pay us off, let us go, then if they’re willing to re-engage us, they should call us back to sign another contract with the new owners.”

Tina Ehikhuemen, another worker who spoke with this newspaper, explained that the management of Shoprite has not been fair to them as staff of the company.

“If you’re working in a place and you’re treated fairly, you’ll be happy. But these people, they’re not treating us fine, they’re only treating us like slaves,” she said.

Ms Ehikhuemen said, “They’re enslaving us, especially the management, they’re not treating us well, you can’t sell your company and sell your staff alongside with it, who does that?

Customers react

Some customers who came for shopping but could not gain entrance into the mall shared their thoughts.

Emmanuel Yusuf said he felt disappointed with what happened, but that he is in full support of what the workers are doing after looking at the reasons why the protest is being staged.

“People can’t come to our country, invest, and we give you all you need and then you have Nigerian staff that are not treated very well, that’s bad,” he said.

Also, Bayani Yukana, said he came with the hope to buy stuff he could use to celebrate Easter, but that he was disappointed.

“The staff are demanding for their rights, and since they’re into business they know what is right for them and the other new company taken over,” Mr Yukana said.

However, the management, in a memo issued by its Divisional Human Resources Manager, Adeola Kagho, said the workers may be dismissed should they fail to return to work.

“Please note that your conduct is in breach of your contract of employment, company rules and procedures and the applicable federal legislation.

“The company is not prepared to tolerate your participation in any unlawful industrial action.

“The company is now considering appropriate action to be taken against you and this may include your summary dismissal, should you disregard the instruction/ultimatum hereunder.

“You are accordingly instructed to return to work immediately in an orderly and diligent manner,” Mrs Kagho said.

She urged the workers to follow the ‘established company’s internal procedure,’ should they wish to raise any grievance.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/452948-why-we-shut-down-shoprite-stores-in-nigeria-workers.html

1 Like

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Highbeepeeh(m): 10:26am On Apr 03, 2021
Story

2 Likes

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by BlessedNuel: 10:40am On Apr 03, 2021
Una story long pass River Nile

20 Likes

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by inoki247: 10:42am On Apr 03, 2021
after been paid off you people should be sacked by the new buyer or what cos I don't understand....

38 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Offpoint1: 10:53am On Apr 03, 2021
Typing

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by doggedfighter(f): 10:55am On Apr 03, 2021
You have told us before na.

1 Like

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by milann: 11:10am On Apr 03, 2021
Like seriously
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Royalty5(f): 11:11am On Apr 03, 2021
It is well...

Please I need a part time job in Ibadan
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Nobody: 11:37am On Apr 03, 2021
When the new buyer takes over they will tell the staff to reapply for employment and they will start afresh.The employees understand their employer tricks.

63 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by milann: 3:58pm On Apr 03, 2021
Lalasticlala
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Xscape047: 4:30pm On Apr 03, 2021
NoBi sMall Tin
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by BruncleZuma: 4:31pm On Apr 03, 2021
grin grin grin grin
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Oladipo1166(m): 4:32pm On Apr 03, 2021
Joysticks:
When the new buyer takes over they will tell the staff to reapply for employment and they will be start afresh.The employees understand their employer tricks.
bro, you just said my mind

16 Likes

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Nobody: 4:32pm On Apr 03, 2021
no more shopping sorry guys

1 Like 2 Shares

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by smile11s(m): 4:32pm On Apr 03, 2021
BlessedNuel:
Una story long pass River Nile

Wetin concern River Nile?

Why you no mention river benue, river niger or imo river? Please support home base rivers biko.

56 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Seniorwriter(m): 4:33pm On Apr 03, 2021
Why are they explaining?
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Grace001: 4:33pm On Apr 03, 2021
Problem no dey finish

1 Like

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by CanadaOrBust: 4:33pm On Apr 03, 2021
The workers are being greedy. Shoprite is not terminating any worker. Yet these ones want to be paid to quit. If they are all paid to quit who will then be left to do the work??

They want to be paid - not to stay and keep working o, but to leave and go to a competitor or start a biz and start competing with Shoprite!

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by pretydiva(f): 4:33pm On Apr 03, 2021
Na wa oo. This country dey on autopilot
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Duplexxx: 4:34pm On Apr 03, 2021
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Danny50: 4:35pm On Apr 03, 2021
Typing...
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by MozB: 4:35pm On Apr 03, 2021
If you know your right, stand and fight for it. Dont be intimidated.

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by HacheNoire: 4:35pm On Apr 03, 2021
Shoppers can always go to Walmart, Costco, Kroger or Sam`s club,

2 Likes

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Oysters(m): 4:36pm On Apr 03, 2021
Workers unite

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Mikelarteta(m): 4:36pm On Apr 03, 2021
It’s ok, next...
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Nobody: 4:36pm On Apr 03, 2021
"The company told us that the people who bought them, bought the workers. To us it is an insult because to us it is pure human trafficking and we will not accept it,” he said". Human trafficking indeed.

21 Likes

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Nobody: 4:38pm On Apr 03, 2021
So ShopRite have been sold
Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Akfrenzy(m): 4:38pm On Apr 03, 2021
grin our studio for pictures don go strike for Easter, where we go snap again #future is female

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why We Shutdown Shoprite Stores In Nigeria - Workers by Chibuzoc(m): 4:39pm On Apr 03, 2021
grin grin that was how the sold royal Niger company including land and its inhabitants

4 Likes

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