A cross section of the striking workers
Police have arrested three striking workers of the Sierra Leone Bottling Company (formerly Cold Storage) as a standoff continues between them.
The secretary general of the workers’ union, Morrie Moitenga told Politico that they were “peacefully protesting” within their compound over “poor pay and conditions" and the alleged heavy-handedness of their Nigerian boss when riot police went in and arrested his colleagues among them the union president, Alie Toronka.
A police operations commander who does not wish to be named says one of those arrested “insulted” the regional head of the police while the other allegedly attempted to drive into the riot police. He wouldn't say why the third was picked up.
The striking workers have denied the reasons given for their colleagues’ arrest saying they were taken in “to intimidate and harass us” Moitenga said.
He said 215 members work under appalling conditions and that following a two-day strike early in September their employers threatened to lay off 50% of the workers. He said they wanted the head of the company, Israel Okujagu to be replaced, accusing him of covering up and conniving when expatriate staff are involved in “big time theft while laying off locals who are alleged to be involved in minor offences”.
The Managing Director of the company, Israel Okujagu would not talk to Politico saying he was in a meeting.
Sierra Leone Bottling Company are the main brewers of soft drink in the country.
(C) Politico Online 30/09/15
