Follow Us on Google
From Bimbola Oyesola
Global labour body, IndustriALL Global Union, has thrown its weight behind Nigerian workers as it pledged strong support for the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees in its ongoing battle against alleged exploitation by foreign-owned companies.
The show of solidarity came during a high-level visit by an IndustriALL delegation at the union’s secretariat in Sango, Ogun State, where concerns over workers’ welfare dominated discussions.
President of NUCFRLANMPE, Bolarinwa Sunday, decried what he described as persistent inhuman treatment of Nigerian workers, particularly in Chinese-owned manufacturing and quarry firms.
He said the pattern of abuse, which includes alleged violations of labour laws, has become systemic and demands urgent intervention.
Bolarinwa accused some companies of operating under conditions he likened to “slave camps,” citing widespread casualisation of workers, denial of union access, and disregard for established labour standards.
“This trend is seriously affecting the union as a whole and undermining workers’ dignity,” he said.
He warned that the union would no longer remain passive in the face of continued violations.
“Nigerians working in Chinese quarries have not been treated with respect as human beings, but as slaves and casual workers. This is no longer acceptable,” Bolarinwa stated.
“The union is going to take decisive steps this year to address it. We can’t continue to fold our hands,” he added.
Backing the union’s stance, Assistant Secretary General of IndustriALL, Kemal Özkan, emphasised the importance of international solidarity in confronting labour abuses.
He pledged the organisation’s full support towards building a sustainable policy framework for Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
Other News
“Effective collective bargaining is key to securing meaningful improvements in working conditions for all workers,” Özkan said.
Also speaking, IndustriALL Sub-Saharan Africa Vice President, Rose Omamo, stressed the need for fair and transparent union recognition processes.
“Our goal is to ensure trade union recognition based on free and fair elections, without interference or intimidation,” she said.
Omamo added that stronger collaboration between global and local unions would help drive long-term structural reforms across industries.
“Working together will enable us to improve conditions across global supply chains and ensure workers can realise and defend their rights,” she noted.
Regional Secretary for IndustriALL, Paule Ndessomin, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustained partnership with the Nigerian union.
“We look forward to close collaboration. Your collective leverage is a valuable tool to drive respect for workers’ rights,” Ndessomin said.
The visit signals a growing international spotlight on labour practices in Nigeria’s industrial sector, with calls for stricter enforcement of labour laws.
Stakeholders say the combined pressure from local unions and global organisations could prove decisive in improving standards and ensuring accountability.
Observers note that the coming months will be critical as unions mobilise both local and international support to push for reforms.
For many workers, the renewed push represents a long-awaited opportunity to challenge exploitation and demand fair treatment.
Labour leaders are now urging government authorities and industry players to act swiftly to protect workers’ rights and restore dignity in the workplace.
