The workers say the company has not provided any assurances that severance pay will be honoured if job cuts occur following the sale. Unilever, headquartered in the United Kingdom, is in the process of transferring its shares in the Ivorian business to a group of local investors, headed by its current wholesale distributor.

Staff insist that a collective agreement signed in 2007, which includes provisions for severance benefits and up to six months of medical coverage, remains legally binding. Despite this, they claim the company has sidestepped its obligations in recent discussions.

During a meeting held at the Labour Inspectorate in Abidjan on April 25, Unilever Côte d’Ivoire Managing Director Arona Diop reportedly stated that decisions concerning employee rights and salaries would be made by management alone, and not governed by the collective agreement.

Unilever has not issued a formal response regarding the claims. However, the workers remain concerned that the transition could leave them vulnerable, particularly if the new owners choose to restructure.

--ChannelAfrica--