Following the recent protest by some Indian workers with Dangote Refinery over poor working conditions, the Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights’ (CDWR), has called on the management of the company to end all forms of indecent work practices.
The not for profit organisation which condemned what it termed “the violation of workers’ rights by the Dangote Group,” noted that 5,013 staff of Dangote Cement have been in court with the management for indecent work policies and violation of workers’ rights since 2017.
In a statement signed by the National Chairperson of the organisation, Rufus Olusesan, it called on the trade unions to defend workers “whose rights are flagrantly violated by Dangote Group and other companies.”
The statement read in full:
“Recently, a video went viral of protesting India expatriate workers of Dangote Refinery agitating against poor working conditions and lack of company safety measures against Corona Virus pandemic at work.
“The worker who spoke on behalf of tens of workers claimed that they were employed by a contractor company known as Power Mech Company and has not been paid for three months now with no provision for food. He also claimed that they are being forced to work against the government laid down rules and regulation on the fights against COVID-19 Pandemic during the period (March and April 2020) of lockdown.
“The construction of Dangote Refinery does not fall under the essential services but it was clear that Dangote Group violated the lockdown order as all its non-essential companies opened for production and the respective managements were forcing workers to either work or lose their jobs. As a matter of fact, the Ogun State Government gave an unchecked waver to all Dangote Trucks to move around without restriction. This was the attitude of governments across the country while Dangote Group Outlaw Trade Union activities in its companies, this was achieved by government backing, hence, violation of workers’ rights is prevalent in the Dangote Group.
“Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights’ (CDWR) condemns the violation of workers’ rights by the Dangote Group. Since 2017, 5,013 Dangote Cement workers were in court against the management for indecent work policies and violation of workers’ rights. We call on Dangote Group to end all forms of indecent work practices and guarantee the rights of workers to belong to the union of their choice that can protect their interest as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 constitution and declaration on fundamental principles and the rights at work which as adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1998.
“CDWR calls on the trade unions to defend workers whose rights are flagrantly violated by Dangote Group and other companies. We also call on the trade unions to enforce the laid down rules that will guarantee the safety of workers at workplaces during this pandemic and always while government must ensure that employers of labour strictly adhere to Health, safety Environment regulations and COVID-19 safety rules at workplaces as against the present system where some employers like Dangote Group are overlook just in the name of generous donations to government projects while their workers are operating under deplorable and terrible working conditions.”
CDWR Condemns Dangote Group for voilating COVID-19 Safety Rules
