Leading telecommunications company, MTN Nigeria has said that it values its staff, their welfare, remuneration and career development seriously.
MTNN made this known after members of the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) accused the telecommunication giant of poor working environment and staff treatments.
President of PTECSSAN, Opeyemi Tomori on Tuesday had said that MTN workers suffer several workplace ills such as discrimination in remuneration, lack of retirement and exit plans for long-term staff, unholy employee relation practices, abuse of expatriate quota policy, increase spate of precarious work, among others.
Tomori warned that members of PTECSSAN would disrupt MTN services by embarking on strike unless their demands are met promptly.
Giving a 14-day ultimatum to MTN, the union advised the network to respond quickly to the telecom workers’ requests, or risk them striking; causing the company to lose subscribers, their businesses, business partners and associates over disruptions.
PTECSSAN also demanded that MTN allow its employees who wish to join the union, to do so without further delay or any form of intimidation.
According to Tomori, MTN Nigeria has remained adamant, insisting that all its workers’ conditions of service as stated in the company’s policy must remain so and cannot be negotiated. He said, “This negates the agreement they hitherto signed at the Ministry of Labour to fully negotiate the workers’ condition of service”.
The union warned that “If any of our demands are not met on or before Feb. 23, 2022, we shall be mobilising in conjunction with other sister unions affiliated to Nigeria Labour Congress workers within and outside the company for industrial actions that will force management to grant our demands.”
In its response on Wednesday, MTN Nigeria claimed that it had not received warnings from PTECSSAN, therefore, it cannot validate or comment on the issue.
The network’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Esther Akinnukawe, in a statement, denied the accusations that it withholds its workers from joining any association. The firm said workers are at liberty to exercise their right to free association.
MTN further explained that it is committed to engagement with PTECSSAN and its representatives via established channels. “If there are any concerns, we are sure that they will be brought to our attention and dealt with in a mutually beneficial manner,” it said.
“Our Company cares immensely about the wellbeing of its workers, and regularly reviews people solutions and policies to ensure that they meet global best practice and make MTN Nigeria a great place to work.”
“We are committed to the development of our people and value their hard work and dedication. Our workforce is our most critical competitive advantage and a key differentiator in the marketplace, so we take staff welfare, remuneration and career development seriously,” MTNN added.
The telecomm firm also mentioned that it has stringent policies in place, which promote meritocracy and protect it’s employees from all forms of harassment and discrimination. MTNN further assured that it “creates a workplace where employees feel valued and safe”.
