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Edo State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity Godwin Eshieshie has said the state government might sanction a Chinese firm, Rongtai Industries, over workers’ deaths and poor welfare for workers.
The Commissioner, who stated this when he visited Rongtai Industries to investigate the death of a staff member who was killed by a forklift, said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remained investors’ friendly but would not allow the dehumanisation of workers by employers.
Eshieshie was visibly angered when he was informed that a total of five workers had died in the company within the last three weeks, with others reportedly killed by electrocution and falling off a crane.
Recall that a crisis broke out at the firm last month as workers, relatives and some community youths razed a section of the firm, including over 20 vehicles and motorcycles, following the death of the forklift operator.
Following the incident, the Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, visited the firm and promised that the State Government would send the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to investigate the incident.
Eshieshie explained that his visit was to stop deaths in the company, promising that the issue of double taxation raised by the organisation would be dealt with in the report to be submitted to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
“This is complete dehumanisation of workers. I have never seen such a scenario. A company where about five people died last month. Industries ought to maximise profit but not to the detriment of the workers. We have gone round the factories, you could see that there are no safety equipment, no helmet and boots are not provided for the workers.
“They confirmed to me that one died as a result of electrical issues. How long can we continue to have this in a place of this nature.
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“The report will be made available to Governor Monday Okpebholo. Necessary sanctions will be placed on them. We are a friendly state. We want investors to come but people will say the state is driving investors away. The Governor provided enabling environment for these factories to strive in terms of development. They are working and producing. Dehumanisation is just too much here. We have done our job and we have been able to go round. Issues of double taxation will form part of our report. The deaths that happened must be stopped and curtailed.
“We are ready to provide conducive environment for investment to thrive but the company should budget a little for safety and for health issues”, the Commissioner said.
Representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Pierce Brritten, who was present during the Commissioner’s visit, said it was unfortunate that workers in the company were not properly kitted.
He, however, said workers’ welfare was based on government regulations, noting that expatriates at the company were still scared after a mob’s attack on the firm following the death of the worker.
“There are government regulations that drive workers’ welfare. The Labour Ministry should work towards seeing to good welfare of the workers. It is not MAN’ s concern to pursue worker’s welfare. It is the duty of government to ensure compliance.
“As a member of MAN, I will say they are doing well in terms of contributing to the economy of Edo State. It is up to the company to do their best terms of worker’s welfare.”
Apparently giving reason for the recorded deaths in the company, spokesman for the organisation, Chang Allen, said workers do refused to wear safety gadgets.
He, however, stated that injured workers were always rushed to the health centre outside the firm.
