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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Security agents keep protesters away from Delta firm
FOLLOWING the commencement, this week of a work-to-rule action by workers of Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited in Irri, Isoko South council of Delta State, to protest the alleged refusal by the management to address their welfare and working conditions, the firm has called in soldiers and mobile policemen of the "Operation Restore Hope" unit to help keep the protesters away.
When The Guardian visited the firm's premises on Wednesday in Irri, combat-ready soldiers and mobile police men, armed to the teeth, were seen at strategic locations around the premises, keenly watching the protesting workers who milled around in an orderly fashion.
Stern security men at the gate said the Pulic Relations Officer would not want to see anybody.
The workers were seeking audience with the management to discuss their rights and benefits, including hazard control and elimination allowance, time off, swamp
allowance, productivity bonus, man power improvement, and pay off.
They expressed their concern at the "quickness with which the authorities invited troops of the joint task force.
The commander of the task force, Brig.-Gen. Elias Zamani, told The Guardian yesterday that the soldiers and the mobile policemen were deployed to provide security at the firm, but the workers claimed the troops were invited to fight them.
According to the chairman and secretary of the workers union (National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers), Mr Oyibo Oghale and Opia James respectively, all efforts to get the management to a conference table to dialogue on their welfare had been rebuffed by the management, most of whom are foreigners.
"Since the first week of this project in Irri, we have always wanted to know why we are being denied what is due to us.", the workers said, adding that the management had been employing divisive tactics to deceive the workers.
The workers urged concerned individuals in Delta State to intervene before there was bloodshed.
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