Leading beverage company, La Casera yesterday terminated the appointment of over 700 staff in Lagos. This comes after workers demanded to join National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employers (NUFBTE) for representation on legal issues as well as the re-instatement of their sacked leaders.  La Casera has however insisted that the sack was over an unwarranted illegal break-in and invasion of its business on Friday, September 11.

A quiet protest which took place that Friday is reported to have hindered production over the weekend and subsequently an alleged break-in was also reported to have occurred during the protests. The management has accorded this incident to the protest by the workers, hence invariably suggesting that some workers were involved.

National Labour Congress (NLC) and National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco of Employees (NUFBTE) are confirmed to have been present at the site on Monday trying to aide their fellow workers in their requests which led to the management locking down the gates and going as far as inviting the Nigerian police force to calm any uprising.

Upon arrival the following day, workers met a locked gate and a notice signed by the management informing all their staff of an immediate disengagement from service. The notice dated September 14 and addressed to all members of staff stated that, “as a result of the unwarranted breaking-in and invasion of our business premises on Sept. 11, we cannot guarantee the wellbeing of our employees from hired hoodlums and their collaborators.

The reason for the company’s decision was attributed to the illegal break-ins during the protests last week. The management further stated that due to these break-ins, it couldn’t fully guarantee the safety of their staff, requesting that they proceed to the company’s representatives in Victoria Island Lagos to begin processing of their entitlements.

The statement made available to The Guardian yesterday signed by the company’s Spokesperson, Tola Bademosi, alleged that, “over 200 shouting demonstrators, some bused in from out of state, broke into the factory which employs over 780 people at its site near Mile 2.” Security guards were unable to hold back the unruly group who broke into the complex, entering offices and production areas.

Due to the non-enforcement of the Nigerian constitution concerning the registration of workers to a legal labour union, workers are liable to the painful and somewhat irrevocable decisions of their employers. This development reflects the company’s anti labour policies as well as their opposition towards workers belonging to a registered union.

The La Casera Company Plc, formerly known as Classic Beverages Ltd, is an Indian owned company which manufactures the popular La Casera drinks.