TELECOMS
Airtel Nigeria reports that services have been restored in areas affected by partner employee protests.
Protests erupted when around 3 000 employees of Airtel outsource partners Tech Mahindra and Spanco alleged they had been sacked. While the employers said the employees’ contracts had merely come to an end and both companies were hiring, protests broke out over the move, disrupting some services and closing offices.
In a statement this weekend, Airtel thanked its customers for their understanding, particularly those in the Federal Capital Territory and environs. The company said its offices were being reopened following an end to the face off between labour and its business partners.
Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Rajan Swaroop said:“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience the situation may have caused our customers just as we thank them for their understanding. We equally commend our customers for their loyalty and abiding faith in the Airtel brand.
Swaroop added, “We reiterate that the unfortunate incident was due to a misunderstanding between our business partners, their employees and the labour unions.”
He said that although the affected workers were not employees of Airtel Nigeria, the company would continue to persuade its partners to ensure fair treatment within the provisions of Nigeria’s labour laws and the dictates of best practice within and outside the industry.
“We thank the Federal Ministry of Labour, Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) the Senate and the House of Representatives for their roles in ensuring return to normalcy.”
