NLC threatens to shut Wizchino over deaths of two workers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to shut down Wizchino Engineering Company Limited indefinitely over alleged violations of workers’ rights and safety standards, following claims that two employees died at separate locations linked to the construction firm.

The congress warned that its ongoing picketing could escalate into a wider industrial action involving its affiliate unions if the company failed to negotiate with the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW).

The NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, issued the warning during a protest at the company’s premises, accusing its management of preventing workers from unionising and failing to provide adequate healthcare facilities, clear employment conditions and appropriate safety measures.

“If they are not ready to follow the law, they should leave! If they are not ready to follow the law of this country, they should leave!” Upah said.

He added that the congress was prepared to pursue legal action against the company over alleged breaches of labour laws.

“Any company that operates in breach of this should be prepared to face consequences not only on the street, but in the courtroom!” he said.

The President of NUCECFWW, Stephen Okoro, alleged that two workers had recently died at separate locations associated with the company because of inadequate healthcare and emergency medical facilities.

“Of recent, we lost about two workers here. Yes, one worker here and one on the other side. Because there’s no healthcare. They don’t have a clinic,” Okoro said.

He alleged that the company had no registered clinic where workers could seek emergency medical attention.

Okoro, who is also an NLC vice-president and president of the construction workers’ union in Africa and the Middle East, further accused the company of failing to provide essential protective equipment, including safety boots, helmets and hand gloves.

He said the union had repeatedly written to the company, visited its premises and contacted relevant government agencies to secure compliance with labour laws, but alleged that management had failed to respond meaningfully.

The union is demanding recognition of workers’ rights to organise, improved conditions of service, fair remuneration and better welfare provisions.

Okoro also accused the company of operating a hire-and-fire system, alleging that employees were hired and dismissed without clearly defined employment conditions.

“They are just doing hire and fire. Today they will employ you, tomorrow they will sack you. And that will not be tolerated in this country,” he said.

He vowed that the union would sustain the protest until the company agreed to negotiate and address the workers’ grievances.

The NLC’s Deputy General Secretary, Bello Ismail, said the participation of workers from affiliated unions demonstrated the labour movement’s commitment to defending employees’ rights.

He stressed that workers had the right to join trade unions, negotiate their employment conditions and participate in collective bargaining under applicable labour laws and international instruments.

“These workers are not slaves. They have a right to form and belong to a trade union, the Construction Workers Union. They have a right to bargain on their conditions of work,” Ismail said.

He warned that denying workers these rights could expose them to exploitative conditions, adding that the dispute had become a concern for the wider labour movement.

The General Secretary of NUCECFWW, Ibrahim Walama, also vowed that the union would continue its action until the company addressed the allegations and respected workers’ rights.

“If they don’t get tired of mistreating Nigerian workers, we will not get tired of fighting for them. No company, whichever company, should refuse to respect our laws. And that is why we are here,” Walama said.

He added that work would remain suspended until the workers’ grievances were resolved.

Wizchino Engineering Company Limited’s response to the allegations was not included in the statements provided by the unions.