By  Victor Ahiuma-Young

The protracted dispute between organized labour and leading Chinese -owned constructions companies including China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, over unfair labour practices, has been resolved following an agreement by parties to convert 4,000 casual workers to permanent employees.

labourThe National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers, NUCECFWW, had earlier in the month issued a 14-day ultimatum to all the Chinese-owned construction companies in the country, threatening to shut their operations in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country over unfair labour practices including casualisation of workers..

NUCECFWW had accused the companies among others of enslaving Nigerians and fragrant disobedience to extant labour laws, international standard and conventions of the International Labour Organisation, ILO.

However, the union said in Lagos that after series of engagement, the management of CCECC and China Gio Construction Nigeria, CGC, acceded to the union’s demand to reverse all perceived unfair labour practices being meted on Nigerian workers.

Speaking, President of NUCECFWW, Mr. Amechi Asugwuni, said management of CCECC and the union agreed that 3,000 casual workers would be converted to permanent employees, while CGC agreed to regularise the employment of 1,000 casuals.

He said, “Management of CCECC and the union agreed that 1,200 casual workers would be converted to permanent staff with appointment letters with immediate effect while 1,800 would have their employment regularised between 1st August and 30th November, 2014. Also the union and CGC management agreed that five hundred (500)casual workers would be converted to permanent staff with immediate effect while 500 casual workers would be converted to permanent staff with appointment letters in the months of August and November 2014.”

On the right of workers to unionise, Asugwuni said both management of CCECC and CGC agreed with the union that “they shall continue to recognize the rights of workers to be unionized in all their operational sites in the country”.

He added that management of the affected companies had also agreed to ensure full compliance with implementation of National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) agreement, adding that the two companies agreed to continuously provide decent vehicle to convey workers to work in all their operational sites.

“The management of CCECC and CGC agreed to sustain the standard of safety requirement/policy in all operational sites across the nation. They confirmed the provision of first aid box in all operational sites and agreed to register with standard retainer’s hospital/Clinic for the treatment of workers across the federation.

It was agreed that both parties will reconvene in the first week of February 2015 to deliberate on the conversion schedule for the year 2015. Having achieved this, the union will further press home its agitation against anti-labour practice in smaller Chinese owned Construction and Furniture Industries in Nigeria,” he added.