By Chinedu Echianu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to shut down the operations of Wizchino Engineering Company Limited, a Chinese construction firm in Abuja, over alleged anti-union practices, poor workers’ welfare and inadequate safety measures.
The labour movement issued the warning during a picketing of the company’s headquarters building (under construction) where workers marched with placards demanding an end to casual employment and indecent jobs.
NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, who spoke at the picketing location, said the company must respect Nigerian labour laws and the rights of workers to freedom of association and union membership.
Upah warned that the labour movement would sustain the protest and mobilise its affiliate unions for a possible total shutdown if the company failed to engage in meaningful negotiations with the relevant construction workers’ union.
He said organisations operating in Nigeria must comply with the country’s labour laws and other legal provisions protecting workers’ rights, warning that violations could attract consequences both on the streets and in court.
National President of the National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), Stephen Okoro, accused Wizchino of repeatedly ignoring the union’s letters and attempts to engage its management over workers’ conditions of service.
Okoro alleged that the company had failed to provide adequate protective equipment, including safety boots, helmets and gloves, as well as access to a registered clinic for workers in emergencies.
He also expressed concern over the alleged deaths of two workers, which he attributed to inadequate healthcare and safety provisions, although the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths were not independently established.
The union president said workers in the construction industry deserved formal conditions of service that would define their employment terms, remuneration and compensation in the event of workplace injuries. He maintained that workers had the right to organise and belong to trade unions, urging the company to negotiate with the union and adopt conditions of service consistent with industry standards.
A worker at the construction site, who spoke during the picketing under the condition of anonymity, alleged that employees were paid between ₦2,000 and ₦2,500 daily, with no adequate first-aid facilities, safety boots, helmets or safety manager.
The worker, who said he had been with the company for nearly two years, also alleged that employees faced threats of dismissal when they complained about working conditions or requested medical assistance.
He further claimed that promised salary increases had not materialised despite the progress of construction work, adding that workers often had to plead before receiving assistance for workplace injuries.
The worker also recounted the reported death of a colleague, saying employees were distressed by the incident and had stayed away from work.
The NLC and NUCECFWW said the picketing would continue until the company agreed to dialogue and addressed their concerns over workers’ welfare, union recognition and workplace safety.
Attempts to get comments from the management of Wizchino Engineering Company Limited proved abortive as their representatives locked themselves in a section of the building and refused to speak with the press.
