Lacasera defies court’s order, fails to reabsorb sacked 700 workers – NUFBTE

Seven days after the National Industrial Court’s ruling, the management of Lacasera Company Plc has yet to comply with the order to recall the sacked 700 workers. Mr Mike Olanrewaju, the Head of Education Department, National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees, (NUFBTE), confirmed to newsmen that the management had yet to recall the sacked workers as directed by the court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the management of Lacasera had on Sept. 14 dismissed 700 workers based on what it described as invasion of its premises by hoodlums.

The NIC had in its injunction restrained the management from sacking the employees and directed it to reabsorb them. “The Lacasera management has not recalled the affected workers since the court gave the order on Sept. 17, but they are making efforts to settle issues with us.’’

Olanrewaju said the union would hold a meeting before taking any action, while it would also wait for the court to hear the case. The NIC had granted the union its plea for an order of interim injunction restraining Lacasera management through suit no. NICN/LA/416/2015 in the Lagos Judicial Division.

The court’s decision signed by Justice O.A. Obaseki- Osaghae reads in part:“All parties are to maintain peace and take no action that will lead to a breakdown of law and order.” Meanwhile, the company has filed an application to counter the motion at the same court.

The application was ahead of the management’s meeting with the union and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Abuja, for a possible reconciliation. Hearing of the two pending motions has been fixed for Oct. 19.