Edo State Government has said it might sanction a Chinese firm, the Rongtai Industries over workers’ death and poor welfare for workers.
It said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remained investors’ friendly but would not allowed dehumanisation of workers by employers.
Edo Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Godwin Eshieshie, disclosed this when he visited the Rontai Industries to investigate the death of a staff who was killed by a forklift.
Eshieshie was further peeved when he was informed that a total of five workers died in the company within the last three weeks.
Besides the worker killed by a forklift, others were killed by electrocution and felling off crane.
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.
Edo Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, first visited the firm and promised that the state government would send the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to investigate the incident.
The Commissioner for Labour and Productivity said his visit was to stop and curtail deaths in the company.
He said the issue of double taxation raised by the organisation would be dealt with in the report to be submitted to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
According to him, “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 booths 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.
“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 for 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.”
Representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Pierce Brritten, who was present at the commissioner’s visit, said it was unfortunate that workers in the company were not properly kitted.
Pierce, however, said workers’ welfare was based on government regulations.
He said expatriates at the company were still scared after mob’s attack on the firm after 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 workers’ 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 in terms of worker’s welfare.”
Spokesman for the organisation, Chang Allen, said workers do refuse to wear safety gadgets.
He said injured workers were rushed to the health centre outside the firm.
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