Workers of a Chinese-owned recycling plant that got burnt in Abule Ododo, Papalanto-Ilaro Road, Ogun State, have protested against the death of their colleagues by resigning from the company.
PUNCH Metro reported that the workers, numbering about 50, demanded justice for the deceased workers. The recycling company went up in flames on Sunday when the lid of a charged machine fell, leading to an explosion.
Three factory workers on duty were reportedly burnt to death, while some sustained varying degrees of injury. Around 1.48 pm, the workers stormed the company’s premises, saying they were no more working for the firm.Workers said a traditional ruler in the area appealed to them to remain calm as victims will be compensated.
“The Chinese also appealed to us and promised to turn a new leaf. But I am leaving this place whether they like it or not.” A worker told the punch newspaper, saying that the management of the company should be held responsible for the fire incident that led to the death of 3 of their colleagues.
They alleged that the management locked them inside the premises to shield the incident from the public and that company had been maltreating them before the incident.
The Ogun State Commissioner for the Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the company would be sealed after the fire was put out. The police spokesperson in the state, when contacted said he was not aware of the incident.
Background
Nigerian Human rights groups often complain about human rights abuses in Chinese owed factories in Nigeria, saying that low-cost labour, hazardous work without protection, breach of minimum wage law, and human rights abuse are the norms. Reports said young Nigerian workers are vulnerable to avoidable bodily harm, and physical and emotional injuries. Yet, these companies continue to exploit their workers, taking advantage of the Nigerian weak laws and poor regulatory system
Nigeria is a crucial destination for numerous Chinese manufacturing firms, with clusters located in the southwestern cities of Lagos, Ogun, and Benin City, in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
However, these Chinese companies often mistreat, exploit, and abuse their Nigerian staff, who are subjected to unhealthy labour practices. Over the years, allegations of racism, physical abuse, sexual violation, injuries, and even death of local workers due to the negligence or explicit approval of Chinese bosses have made front-page news. There have been few repercussions for these alleged acts.
For instance, on July 9, 2021, Onyinye Onwuegbusi, a translator with Wihu Limited, a Chinese factory located along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Isheri, Ogun State was burnt to death, due to alleged negligence by her Chinese employees. The fire also claimed the lives of three other Nigerian staff.
In a similar case, in February 2018, the government of Lagos State, Nigeria’s economic capital, held the management of a Chinese firm, Hongxing Steel Company Limited responsible for an accident that deformed Chris Abiodun, a contract worker. Abiodun sustained burns on the face and most parts of his upper limbs when molten metal erupted on him on October 1, 2017. The company had refused to adequately compensate him for injuries he sustained during the incident.
