How Workplaces Are Becoming Slaughter Houses In Nigeria - NLC Raises Alarm

The unsafe working environment in Nigeria has become alarming, with a rise in industrial accidents leading to death, serious injuries, and incapacitation among workers.

That regulatory authorities seem unwilling to frontally address the unhealthy and inhuman situation is the tragedy of the Nigerian situation.

In recent times, Adeyemi Aderounmu, Patrick Ikenwe, Augustine Nwamba, Tukur Mohammed Kabiru Labaran, Adebanjo Adeyemi and Yusuf Akeem, lost their lives in the Maritime industry.

The sector has equally recorded several cases of maiming and incapacitation of workers.

The Textile sector has its fair  share of casualties as a result of industrial accidents.

Workplace tragedies

On January 24, 1999,  Mr Shola Odunleye had burns due to stem spread on him accidentally at ITI Process House, Lagos, Mr Ayodele Amusan,  on March 9, 2000 lost his left palm in an Industrial  accident on September 15th, 2000, at ITI Process House Lagos, and  Mr john 0nyemah, on September 15, 2000 at same company, had severe injury to his vertebral column When a gate collapsed on him at work.

Mr Emmanuel  Olutsosoye, on February 6, 2002,  at First Spinners PLC, lost one finger in an industrial accident,  on September 12, 2000, Mr Ali Oloche,  had abrasion of the skin on two left fingers in an industrial accident at the same company, on June 26, 2002,  Mr Kareem Aderemi, had abrasion of the skin on two right fingers in an industrial accident, on March 3, 2000, Mr Rasheed Quadris had a  abrasion of the skin on his right fingers in an industrial accident,  March 3, 2000, Mr Oke Olakunle, had a minor abrasion of the skin on his right fingers in an industrial accident, all at First Spinners PLC.

Sadly, at United Nigeria Textile LTD, on September 6, 2010, Mr Ekuma Sunday, slumped at work and died the following day.

Recall that on July 28, 2020, Mr Richard Gbadebo, an employee of Henkel Nigeria limited, and Expand Global Industries Limited, located at Oluyole industrial Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State died in mysterious circumstances while operating a machine.     

Similarly, on April 26, 2022, one Temidayo Kayode, then an employee of Yanou Industry Nigeria Limited, Taiwo Eyinede Street, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibafon, Ogun State, sustained serious injuries on his left hand that eventually led to the amputation of the hand.

Unfortunately, those not reported are even more. Hence the issue of unsafe working environment in Nigeria was a key part of the remarks by the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero at the national retreat on Labour reforms and the quest for a living wage in Nigeria: A focus on legislative interventions, organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, held on July 8, 2024.

Among others, Ajaero said: “As we gather here today, we are reminded of the challenges that have long plagued the Nigerian workforce. Inadequate wages, rising inflation, and an ever-increasing cost of living, have eroded our purchasing power. The increasing state-led intimidation, harassment and impunity deliberately orchestrated against workers and their organisations with the intention of muzzling their voices and deepening their exploitation.

“Workplaces are becoming increasingly insecure because limbs are mercilessly chopped off and lives are destroyed as a result of unsafe work environment. These conditions not only undermine the well-being of our families but also stifle the potential for economic growth and social stability.

“Just two days ago, (Saturday, July 7, 2024) along Sagamu – Ogijo highway, Ogun State, Yahaya Ibrahim, a 27-year-old Nigerian worker of KAM Steel integrated company was crushed to death allegedly by a Roller machine he was operating around 4:00am. He is one of the many cases of Nigerians who have lost their lives because they went to work.

“Most of these cases may be the result of the failure of the legislature to oversight the Federal Ministry of Labour that is supposed to monitor such workplaces. It also may be a result of inadequacy of our laws in safeguarding Nigerians while at work. Workers are owed Pensions when they retire and are abandoned. Retirees are owed nearly N300billion by the Federal Government alone. If you add the state governments and indeed, the private sector, it will become mindboggling. One may ask: where are the laws?

“In addressing these challenges, legislative interventions play a crucial role. Our lawmakers bear the responsibility of enacting policies that protect the rights and welfare of workers. It is through robust, thoughtful, and forward-looking legislation that we can create an environment where every Nigerian worker earns a wage that meets their basic needs and supports a decent standard of living.

“It is important that our Lawmakers are reminded of their sacred roles in nation building. It is in demonstrating a deep understanding of these duties and committing to discharging them effectively that our workplaces and truly our nation will make progress. A nation with a passionate and strong Legislature is shielded from Executive Lawlessness and excesses but where the Legislature allows itself to be compromised and weakened it becomes an accomplice to the undermining of democracy and destruction of our nation.

I want to use this opportunity to remind the NASS of two of its critical roles through which Nigerian workers and indeed our workplaces can be made more decent work compliant thus more productive to drive the wheels of progress in our nation. These includes; the responsibility for making laws for the peace, order, and good governance of Nigeria and; the conduct of oversight of the executive branch to ensure laws are implemented properly and funds are used effectively.