Workers Protest Threat To 10,000 Jobs At WEMPCO, Demand FG’s Intervention

Workers under the Steel and Engineering Workers’ Union of Nigeria (SEWUN), an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday staged a peaceful protest over what they described as a looming threat to the jobs of more than 10,000 employees at WEMPCO.

The protesting workers who called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the crisis surrounding the operations of the company, warned that any disruption could worsen unemployment in the country if not swiftly addressed.

The protesting workers, who carried placards with various inscriptions, demanded immediate clarification on the status of the company and urged relevant authorities to ensure that any dispute involving WEMPCO is resolved without jeopardising thousands of jobs and dependent families.

They also raised concerns over alleged attempts by unidentified persons said to be acting under the claim of receivership from a commercial bank, who reportedly entered the company premises with armed uniformed men.

Addressing journalists during the protest, SEWUN National Treasurer, Comrade Nasiru Bello, said the workers were taken by surprise by the development, noting that WEMPCO had maintained a stable labour relationship with its workforce for years.

“Some of our members have worked here for over 35 years without any industrial disharmony. Management has consistently met its obligations. However, we were shocked when some individuals came claiming to be receivers acting on behalf of a bank, alleging indebtedness we are not aware of,” Bello said.

He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and relevant authorities to intervene and protect workers from losing their means of livelihood.

Similarly, SEWUN Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Julius Ijebor, described the situation as alarming, alleging that workers were almost forcefully ejected from their duty posts during the incident.

“They came with armed uniformed men to chase our members away from their workplaces. We do not understand the motive behind this action, especially as workers were lawfully carrying out their duties,” he said.

The union leaders warned that the situation could trigger a broader social and economic crisis if not urgently addressed, insisting that the rights and welfare of workers must be protected.