…as victims stage protest today
BY Mike Adeyemi
No fewer than 200 workers of United Foam Nigeria Limited (Unifoam), Ilorin office were, yesterday, laid off over alleged demand for pay increase.
The affected workers were yesterday afternoon prevented from gaining entry into the premised of the company at Asa Dam road, Ilorin, by officers of the Nigerian Police.
Speaking with our reporter on the issue, the spokesperson for the workers, Ibrahim Yunus Alata said the Lebanese at the company are denying then their rights hence they have decided to stage a massive protest, today (Thursday).
According to him, since June this year, the workers at the Ilorin office sought for better welfare package including pay rise and gratuities.
“But sadly, we took up the matter, yesterday, and the management of the company rather than attending to our demands, invited officers of the Nigerian Police to chase us out of the premises saying our services are no longer needed.
“They went on radio to announce that eligible workers should apply to the company immediately with the intention to replace us and as I speak to you, recruitment of new applicants is ongoing leaving us to our fate,” he bemoaned.
Alata further stated that though it was stated in the condition of service that the employees are entitled to pay rise and gratuities, the management has overtime denied them such rights.
“We were also not given appointment letters until we fought for it. Here, we work under hazardous conditions.”
Also speaking, Kunle Afolayan said workers at uniform were subjected to slavery for the past 11 years.
“It is unfortunate that they employed us as casual workers for almost 11 years without staffing us. We had to fight for it before we were staffed.
“At other branches of the company in the country, the situation isn’t like this. They are treating us here in Kwara like animals because we have no one to defend us.
“Imagine the company is generating about N400 million in a month yet they cannot pay the workers standard salary structure,” he lamented.
Speaking further, he said that the management some years ago promised in the presence of the Emir of Ilorin to improve the condition of service of the workforce but sadly, they are yet to implement such pledge.
“By tomorrow (Thursday), we are staging a massive protest to the Kwara State House of Assembly over this undue treatment by foreigners at the company,” he said.
Reacting, the Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kwara State Chapter, Comrade Yekini Agunbiade berated the management of the company for treating the workers of the company unduly.
“Just as I was passing-by, I met these workers sent out of the factory and when I inquired, they told me that they have been laid off over agitation for their rights. I tried to speak with their Lebanese boss but opted not to speak with me.
“I want to tell you that by tomorrow, all labour congresses in the state will assemble here to lead a protest against the act of tyranny at Unifoam, Ilorin office,” he stated.
The labour boss further said that the workers cannot be sacked, as all legal means under labour act would be sought in their defence.
Speaking further, Agunbiade said, “When people have worked for over 10 years with a company, I wonder how mere asking for their rights for improved welfare result into sack. We will not take that.
“Why will some foreigners come to Nigeria and take us for slave?
Efforts by our reporter to speak with the management on the development yesterday proved abortive as the security men claimed they have closed for the day.
