by Oke Efagene

A Base Maintenance Manager at Caverton Helicopters, Surendra Bhagwandass, resigned yesterday over non-payment of salaries and unfair treatment of Nigerian workers in the company.

The expatriate accused the company which has contracts with oil firms like TOTAL, SHELL, among others for not paying the salaries of its Nigerian workers last month, December 2013.

He also said that unlike the foreign workers, the Nigerian staff do not enjoy all the benefits that comes with the job even though they put in more effort.

Vanguard report:

Bhagwandass who tendered his resignation letter through an email to the management of Caverton said that he became frustrated knowing that the expatriates workers were being taken care of while their Nigerian counterparts were not only poorly paid but their salaries delayed and described the development as unfair.

“Shame on you guys. I heard from the people I work with that they are not paid for the festive season. This is a security breach as I now feel uncomfortable to travel and work, while you guys have a merry time.

“Please have heart as these people have families, while you all enjoy the best; being with your families. You all (set) break the record as the only company in the world who do not pay your workers. Shame on you guys,” the expatriate stated in the email.

Some of the Nigerian workers at Caverton Helicopters said it was painful to know that expatriate staff were paid in dollars but the Nigerian workers who put in more effort on the job were paid less.

They also said, that while they are not given accommodation or security escorts, expatriates enjoyed such benefits.

“They are paid in dollars, we in Naira but we work more than them. Several staff have been attacked because they leave their houses around 4 am. There is no security for us. But they enjoy everything in our country,” the staff said.

He further accused Caverton Helicopters of failing to take good care of its staff even after promising oil companies that it would do so before signing contracts with them.

The Personal Assistant to the Managing Director of Caverton Helicopters, Mrs. Doyin Elegbe denied the allegations.