ATCON faults picketing of MTN Nigeria

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has condemned the recent picketing of MTN Nigeria headquarters in Lagos and locations across the country by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The advocacy group ATCON sees the picketing as attempt to frustrate and sabotage the effort of the biggest mobile telephony company in the country.

NLC staged protests that disrupted activities of MTN Nigeria in protest against non-unionisation of its workers.

ATCON sees the disruptions of its member’s operations “as unnecessary venture and it an intentional attempt to frustrate and sabotage the effort of our member to provide a seamless communication for all Nigerians.”

The leadership of the union and other members barricaded the head office of the company in Lagos last week  for about eight hours, preventing workers from carrying out their daily duties.

The protesters, led by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, gained access into the MTN office in Lagos around 6am and reportedly replicated the labour action simultaneously nationwide.

Ayuba said the picketing was a follow-up to the Oct 7, 2017 picketing of MTN office in Abuja.

”We are even worried that the picketers became so violent during their unnecessary demonstration. ATCON thinks if NLC wants to do anything at all NLC should have peacefully carried out their picketing instead of going violent”, ATCON says in a statement sent to Technology Times.

”The two days  picketing of MTN Nigeria is uncalled for at this material time that some companies are laying off their staff because of poor economic situation in the country.

This action by NLC has pointed to the fact that some people are out to sabotage ATCON’s efforts to encourage its members to make more investment in infrastructure development of the sector”, it adds.

ATCON further says that ”the amount of money lost during these demonstration is alarming and ATCON thinks NLC should have approach the matter in a more professional and civilized manner.

We would appreciate NLC to write to us before embarking on any demonstration that can put the security of the nation in jeopardy.Our members are law abiding corporate organizations that have been contributing to the wealth of Nigeria.”