FG to invoke labour law on two Chinese firms over industrial slavery

The Federal Government has said that it will be invoking the labour law on two Chinese ceramics firms in Kogi State.

The companies identified as BN Ceramic Company and West Africa Ceramics Company were accused of engaging in abuses, sexual harassment, industrial slavery and maltreatment of Nigerians.

Speaking after the two firms were dragged before the Public Complaint Commission (PCC) by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Pan-African United Youth Development Network, the Chief Commissioner of the agency, Chief Chile Igbawua said those found culpable in the allegation of industrial slavery will be forced to face the industrial law.

Igbawua said, “The news was very incensing and is inhuman. We have labour law in Nigeria for goodness sake and we have industrial standard people working in the industry depending on the kind of personal protective equipment where they work, they are also entitled to minimum condition of service. That is why I commended your organisation again because the staff are already threatening and unable to speak up or voice out and what needs to be done is for somebody to voice out on their behalf which is what you have done because of your step this matter has gone to the government.

“I am happy you said you have submitted a copy of the petition to our state office in Kogi, and because of the magnitude of this problem, I will not allow only the commissioner from state to handle it. I will also step in I know governor to have his own step to take but we have a mandatory duty by our mandate.

“We shall write to them and visit them to see things for ourselves but I can assure you that whatever wrong that has been done to that place or people we shall take the appropriate step.

“The law of this country is very clear, we are not subject ourselves to the foreign investors to re-colonisation, we are a sovereign nation, we are proud Nigeria for the fact that we have resources doesn’t mean our resources should be used to enslave us again and we are going to take this matter very seriously.

“We cannot subject ourselves to foreign investors, we are independent, we are proud Nigerians and our resources cannot be used to enslave us again.

“We will ensure that going forward the conditions of service in those two industries and others are brought to conform to the laws of this country.

“I want to encourage you that whatever you have done is a great national service. I also assure you of our collaboration, you can count on us anytime that you have any information.

“We are going into it and we will get to the depth of the matter and ensure justice is done."

President of Pan Africa United Youth Developments Network, Amb. Habeeb Mohammed on his own part said all the group wanted is justice.

Mohammed said, “The reason why we are here today is to bring to your notice what is happening in the two Chinese company in Kogi state the An Ajaokuta based Ceramics company, BN Ceramic Industry Nig. Ltd and West Africa ceramics on how they threaten our people in our own country.

“We want to tell Nigerian that we won’t sleep to watch them make Nigerian a slave in our own country."