The Edo State Government has said it will sanction a Chinese-owned company, Rongtai Industries, over the deaths of five workers and alleged poor welfare and safety conditions at the firm.

The state government said although the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remained investor-friendly, it would not tolerate the dehumanisation of workers by employers.

The Edo State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Godwin Eshieshie, disclosed this when he visited the company to investigate the death of a worker who was reportedly killed by a forklift.

Eshieshie expressed concern after he was informed that five workers had died at the company within the last three weeks.

Apart from the worker allegedly killed by a forklift, the commissioner was told that other workers died from electrocution and an accident involving the felling of a crane.

Crisis had erupted at the company last month when workers, relatives and some community youths reportedly attacked and razed a section of the facility, destroying more than 20 vehicles and motorcycles, following the death of a worker.

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, had earlier visited the company and promised that the state government would deploy the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to investigate the incident.

Speaking during his visit, Eshieshie said his mission was to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure that further loss of lives at the company was prevented.

He said the issue of alleged double taxation raised by the company would also be addressed in the report to be submitted to Governor Okpebholo.

According to him, “This is complete dehumanisation of workers. I have never seen such a scenario. A company where about five people died last month. Industries ought to maximise profit but not to the detriment of the workers. We have gone round the factories, you could see that there are no safety equipment, no helmet and booths are not provided for the workers.

“They confirmed to me that one died as a result of electrical issues. How long can we continue to have this in a place of this nature.

“The report will be made available to Governor Monday Okpebholo. Necessary sanctions will be placed on them. We are a friendly state. We want investors to come but people will say the state is driving investors away. The Governor provided enabling environment for these factories to trive in terms of development. They are working and producing. Dehumanisation is just too much here. We have done our job and we have been able to go round. Issues of double taxation will form part of our report. The deaths that happened must be stopped and curtailed.

“We are ready to provide conducive environment for investment to thrive but the company should budget a little for safety and for health issues.”

A representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Pierce Brritten, who was present during the commissioner’s visit, described as unfortunate the failure of the company to properly kit its workers.

Pierce, however, said workers’ welfare was guided by government regulations.

He added that expatriate workers at the company were still apprehensive following the mob attack on the facility after the death of the worker.

“There are government regulations that drive workers’ welfare. The Labour Ministry should work towards seeing to good welfare of the workers. It is not MAN’ s concern to pursue worker’s welfare. It is the duty of government to ensure compliance. As a member of MAN, I will say they are doing well in terms of contributing to the economy of Edo state. It is up to the company to do their in terms of worker’s welfare.”

The spokesman for the organisation, Chang Allen, said some workers refused to wear the available safety gadgets.

He added that injured workers were usually taken to a health centre outside the company for treatment.

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