I was sent the report below as their own side of the story by the Company's PR Team....
''Despite the tough economic situation in Nigeria, Biogaran, a subsidiary of Servier (the No. 2 French Pharmaceutical Group) that specializes in generics acquired Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited (swipha) in March 2017, as part of its expansion plans to other African countries.
Biogaran trusts in Nigeria and Nigerian people, and wishes to provide through Swipha to all Nigerians access to quality and affordable medicines.
The decision to buy Swipha was taken despite the poor situation of the company which was at the period, short in cash and under threat of closure.
Upon inception, the new management decided to lift the company up to its Group compliance and social policies, corporate governance and benefits for the employees.
Management decided to restructure the organisation to ensure efficiency by removing superfluous staff and eventually align the firm with global best practices.
However, some of these policies appear to be unacceptable to some members of staff who preferred to slow down, then to hinder operation and embarked on strike since mid-December 2017 while all efforts to make them have a rethink about a promising future proved abortive.
To safeguard company properties and prevent any form of hostility the management decided to officially shut-down operations temporarily.
The new management of Swipha strongly believes in Nigeria and is committed to its economic development and is resilient in its quest to engage modern new ways of working, best in class practices and high-level compliance standards, notwithstanding the financial loses the company may incur during this time.
It is committed to doing all it takes to ensure that the company maintains and strengthens its position as a leader in the pharmaceutical sector.
Signed:
Gaby El Khoury
Managing Director
Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited
So the reason you lay people off just like that without paying?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteU no sabi read ni , temporarily shut dwn ...
Delete10:53 you wey sabi read but no sabi think far. Wait and see what the temporary shut down will amount to.
DeleteGet out!speaking plenty grammar yet very empty letter.thats how all these employers in Nigeria will be treating their staff like trash.see the stupid way they justified their thoughtless actions.i'm no swiss-what'er staff but I feel their pain.that business will never see the light of day if you don't give what belongs to ceasar to ceasar.kitikpa lacha unu anya
ReplyDeleteRunning a company in this country is not easy.from the financial sector,manufacturing sector etc. But if company is to retrench staff then adequate incentives should be paid to the exiting staff
ReplyDeleteCock and bull stories... You talk about Globally accepted best practices and you can't pay your workers and give them at least a month's notice before laying them off?
ReplyDeleteLoll. Why the emphasis on 'tough economic situation' 'poor economic situation'? Is your company a charity.
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't see an avenue to make tremendous profit,would you be here? Or are you here counting bridges?
All the points listed yesterday, none where disproved. You've only brought your version of the 'truth'. Whatever the case, even though Nigerians are steady dulling on whats important, be warned that these set of people Chinese,Lebanese and Indians have NOTHING to offer here. They only came to plunder the country. And if you know the thousands of businesses they now have in the country and the plans to exploit it even further you will be shocked. Ofcourse a bribe here, a bribe there and your 'leaders' continue sucking their thumbs.
There is no valid reason why the company was shut down in this their robust reply.
ReplyDeleteU didn't read to safe guard coy properties Abi.. Na so dem do go burn neimeth ...
DeleteAnonymous 11:18, neimeth and swipha are practically on the same level if you ask me. All these kekere indigenous pharm coys with the way they treat their staff.
DeleteMumu pple they shut down temporarily, they didn't say they won't pay ...when the staff didn't Wrk in December nko ..just go to Wrk gist n all .... Kocheww Naija pipus first step to change is acceptance
ReplyDeleteThey worked from 1st-20th of Dec.swipha embarked on sit down approach because of the slave mentality condition of service introduced.
DeleteThe national staff union came for dialogue the MD refuse to talk to them. Instead he intimidating then with lawyers and mobile policemen.
Swipha through this set of staff was the first in West Africa to obtain WHO cGMP certification as well as ISO Certification to mention but a few.
When are they ever going to operationalize labour laws in Nigeria? I know there are existing labour laws but the way companies don't abide by it is disheartening.
ReplyDeleteFederal Ministry of Labor and Employment need to look into this. Create awareness, hold seminars and invite CEOs and HR personnels of these companies. There should be sufficient ground to relieve someone of their duty and prior notice should be given to them and they should be paid salaries and all benefits due to them. Takeover of a company should not imply laying off existing staff. If they are underperforming, you ought to train them. Organise trainings for them and not sack them. Where are the trade Union, Labor union and FMLE? We need to hold some of these companies who are nor abiding by the labour laws accountable. There are people working in private firms that are being owed salaries or some will get laid off just like that.
Dear Nigerians, you people need to dump these your sentimental attitude and learn about class action suit especially those relieved of their duties. Get a good lawyer, come together for once in unity, take these companies to court and ask for millions of naira as damages. All of you relieved from work, should come together and take Biogaran company to court in a class action suit.
KING XOXO MYSTERY
I think it is fair to close the company down temporarily. If the workers are on strike, it is imperative for the company to safeguard their properties from unruly staff.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stella for publishing the company's side of the story. They have made it clear that the closure is temporary.
ReplyDeleteThe staff of the company should count themselves lucky that Biogaran bought swipha before the banks took over. They should go and ask staffers of Evans Pharmaceuticals what happened when the banks took over because of huge debts. The banks have not been able to fight a buyer for the company, all the workers are at home without any severance pay. swipha workers should use the shutdown period to negotiate a severance deal for themselves
ReplyDeleteBiogaram is an international European company. I do not think they would operate a labour camp.
ReplyDeleteThe workers union should go and sit down with the management to iron out the issues amicably
ReplyDeleteIn negotiation, there should be room for flexibility, the workers union must not insist on doing things the old way. They must recognise that Swipha has a new owner. If the former ways things were done were okay, the company would not have run into troubled water. If workers are going to be laid off, it should be according to the law
ReplyDeleteThis is not the best of time for pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria, some have folded up and many are in serious financial troubles. Many prayer is for wisdow to prevail in this matter
ReplyDeleteFor un wey be workers, not be everything them dey take gragra do. No law say make employers employ anybody them no want. so make sense fall on top of una
ReplyDeleteAbeg make management and workers go start work, i don dey look for swidar anti malaria tablet to buy, i no find. i no know say swipha workers dey strike
ReplyDeleteGet some other brand na.
DeleteWell.....Swipha has not been performing for the past few years now, their staff keep complaining. They're ranking one of the least performing indigenous pharmaceutical companies so Maybe the change in management will boost up their rep. I sincerely hope all these issues with their staff are resolved amicably. Make I go find gist from my friend working with them.
ReplyDeleteNawaoo Swipha management said workers are on strike but the staff are saying they are on sit down approach...there is a disconnect here... This is serious. If workers are on strike they won't come to work until the strike is called off. The pictures the workers posted shows that they came to work and met the gate locked with dogs parading inside the premesis, the picture even showed Labour bus parked outside which means the workers have the backing of labour. Does it mean that the management does not understand the difference between strike and sit down approach?....nawaoo but the management said they have high regards for Nigeria Laws and Nigerians..it is a shame..A whole Swipha..
ReplyDeleteYou people didn't take over Swipha because you love Nigeria Or you want to help Swipha. There is no free lunch anywhere. The workers are fighting for there right and they need to be heard not intimidated. If the management respects Nigeria laws and Nigerians as they claim then they should discus with their staff. It is a family problem that can be settled internally rather trying to intimidate their workers with dogs, armed policemen and unnecessary write ups on social media....I least expected this from Swipha. well it is Bad management
The management of Biogaram are here littering the comment section. I hope the workers sue this company.
ReplyDeleteI see you Itama and Idama, Ogie...same person
KING XOXO MYSTERY
Na wa ooo
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ReplyDelete