THE National Union of Workers (NUW) has accused Ram Sami and Sons of acting in “bad faith” by recruiting replacement workers during an industrial strike, describing the move as an attempt to undermine workers’ legal right to take collective action.
NUW general secretary Felix Anthony said about 40 workers went on strike on Thursday following more than two and a half years of negotiations over a collective agreement.
He said the union had attended numerous meetings during that period but accused the company of deliberately delaying the negotiations.
Mr Anthony also alleged that workers had been subjected to poor working conditions, including being transported in the back of a truck used to carry chickens.
“This exploitation must stop,” he said.
He said the company’s legal adviser informed the Ministry of Labour yesterday of its intention to recruit workers to maintain operations during the strike.
“The intent is clear and that is to break the solidarity of workers and deny workers their rights.”
He also questioned the company’s decision to recruit local workers, claiming it had previously secured permits for about 10 foreign workers after stating it could not find suitable workers locally.
Mr Anthony called on the Department of Immigration to review the foreign worker permits and ensure employment opportunities were available to local workers.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour has scheduled mediation talks for Tuesday, which the union says it will attend in an effort to resolve the dispute.
Attempts by this newspaper to obtain a response from the company were unsuccessful.
