Nigerian workers have been at the receiving end of industrial disputes, their rights have been infringed upon by those entrusted to do protect them. The plight of an employee in Nigeria ranges from non-payment of salaries to an unsecured future as their pensions are often either mismanaged by participating banks or outrightly embezzled by government officials.

The employment policies of many companies is not friendly, as employees are maltreated through badly written contracts that allow employers hire and fire at will, with no real consequences. Even in cases of industrial disputes there is no body to protect workers.

The plight of the workers of BUA cement working on its limestone site in Okpella, Edo, should be a source of concern to the appropriate quarters as the crisis between Dangote Group, BUA Cement and Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel lingers on. This crisis has been complicated by the entrant of a new party the Edo State Government which has shut down the limestone plant.

The decision premised on security issues failed to take into consideration the plight of the workers of the firm. Indirectly, there is an imminent job loss as BUA workers have been rendered jobless by the closure of the plant. As a capitalist, Abdulsamad Rabiu, CEO of the group is not expected to keep the staff on its payroll when their source of income has been shutdown, which directly leads to a layoff.

Considering the poor situation employees do find themselves in the country, the Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki has taken an unwise decision that will further impoverished the staff and the locality where the plant is located as economic activities will surely grind to a halt. The state Governor has not used the right tactic in managing the crisis.

His brash decision has put the workers at the mercy of their employer who will not be blamed for terminating their contracts.

tosin adesina