By Chinyere Bassey
Lagos – Some workers from different industrial unions on Monday described casualisation, rights abuse, unjust retrenchment and poor welfare package as their major challenges.
They spoke in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos during the celebration of International Workers’ Day.
Mr Umaru Osbuade from the Steel Workers’ Union of Nigeria (SEWUN) said that staff members full-fledged workers in the iron and steel industry were regularly sacked and re-employed as casual or contract workers.
Osbuade told NAN that the workers were also poorly paid, with no provision for healthcare.
“As steel workers, we suffer humiliation and other unfair labour practices. Before a worker will be confirmed, he would have worked for about four years.
“The work environment is bad, and when you complain, you will be told to look for another job.
“The union does not call for strike often because it does not want the some workers to lose their jobs.
“Employers are always threatening to retrench, blaming the economy for all their inadequacies,’’ he said.
The SEWUN member appealed to the Federal Government to address casual employment of workers to give hope to the Nigerian worker.
Mr Harold Benstowe, Acting President, National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), told NAN that members of the union were driving trucks for construction companies.
Benstowe said that NAPO members were often dehumanised, as many employers used and sacked them without warning.
“The workers are employed as casuals, and when they complete their projects, the companies sack them without adequate compensation.
“Right now, we are having issues with Dawoo Nig. Ltd., which sacked more than 200 members of NAPO without compensation.
“The company branded workers cultists for demanding for their rights; the workers were beaten by security agents,’’ he said.
The unionist appealed to the government to make a law to stop firms from molesting workers and abusing their rights.
Mr James Adetunji, a member of the National Union of Railway Workers, told NAN that railway workers were being neglected and improperly remunerated.
Adejunji, however, hailed the Federal Government for rehabilitating the railway and urged it to ensure adequate wage for the workers.
NAN reports that International Workers Day or Labour Day is celebrated on May 1 in recognition of accomplishments of workers.