NLC threatens to shut down Chinese firm over workers’ deaths

From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to shut down Wizchino Engineering Company Limited, a Chinese construction firm, over alleged violations of workers’ rights and the deaths of two workers at separate locations associated with the company.

The congress, which staged a picketing exercise at the company’s premises on Wednesday, accused its management of preventing workers from joining trade unions, failing to provide adequate healthcare facilities and neglecting basic occupational safety standards.

The protest was led by the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), with the support of the NLC leadership.

The NLC’s acting general secretary, Benson Upah, said the congress would not hesitate to take further action against the company if it failed to comply with Nigerian labour laws.

He also accused the management of failing to provide clear salary structures and adequate health and safety provisions for workers.

He warned that the congress would pursue legal action against employers found to be operating in violation of labour laws, stressing that the response would go beyond street protests.

“If they are not ready to follow the law, they should leave! If they are not ready to follow the law of this country, they should leave!

“Any company that operates in breach of this should be prepared to face consequences not only on the street, but in the courtroom!” he said.

Also speaking, the president of NUCECFWW, Stephen Okoro, alleged that two workers had died at separate locations linked to the company amid inadequate medical facilities and emergency healthcare arrangements.

He said the company did not have a registered clinic where workers could seek immediate medical attention in an emergency.

“Of recent, we lost about two workers here. Yes, one worker here and one on the other side. Because there’s no healthcare. They don’t have a clinic. As we’re talking now, they don’t have any registered clinic that a worker can run to in the case of an emergency,” Okoro said.

The labour leaders insisted that the company’s management must engage with organised labour to address the allegations and resolve the issues leading to the picketing.

The NLC said the action would continue until the management agreed to negotiate with the union and address the concerns raised over workers’ welfare, safety and labour rights.