Shock as Rep withdraws motion to probe treatment of Nigerians by foreign companies

The House of Representatives was denied the opportunity of intervening on the reported inhuman treatment Nigerians working in some foreign companies operating in Nigeria were subjected to.

A motion to address the issue entitled: ‘Urgent need to curb unwholesome practices of Chinese, Indian and Lebanese companies in Nigeria, was withdrawn by the sponsor, Segun Adekola (PDP, Ekiti).

To the surprise of some lawmakers, who were prepared for the debate, Adekola took the leave of the House to withdraw the motion.

The motion was listed third for debate on the Order paper yesterday.

In accordance with House rules, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara granted the request.

In his argument of the motion, as contained on the Order paper, the lawmaker said a media report on an incident at Wempo where it was alleged that a Nigerian worker’s head got smashed by a faulty machine at Wempo called for concern.

The lawmaker regretted that incidents of nonchalance to Nigerian workers’ welfare is rampart with foreign companies operating in the country, with less than impressive action from relevant authorities.

He argued that some of the foreign companies have little regard for the safety of their workers, many of whom had died or got maimed in the work place due to gross negligence by the companies managements.

As stated on the Order paper, the lawmaker expressed concern that some of the foreign companies act with impunity by subjecting their workers to degrading working conditions and a near absence of safety measures in flagrant disobedience of Nigerian Labour laws.

In his prayers, Adekola wanted the House to mandate the Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, when constituted to investigate the incident at Wempo and other unwholesome practices of foreign companies operating in Nigeria with a view to bringing an end to the unhealthy trends.