The Lagos State Government has sealed off a Chinese footwear company, Cheng-Fa Nigeria Limited, over alleged infractions ranging from child labour to safety breaches.
The Lagos State Safety Commission recently stormed the company located at Obasa area of Ikeja, Lagos for investigations. This happened shortly after reports emerged about the death of one of the workers, Joseph Ekwenobe, a 14-year-old boy who was electrocuted by a faulty machine while working at the firm.
Child labour infringements: Cheng-Fa Nigeria Limited was said to have been engaged the services of over 100 under-aged children as casual workers. These children allegedly worked for 12 to 18 hours daily while receiving N700 as wages. Even with that meagre sum, deductions were made from the under-aged workers’ salaries for reasons such as lateness to work and failure to meet their targets.
More Offences: The Safety Commission further alleged that the environment was not safe and conducive for workers to work in. According to the government agency, there are other safety issues that needed to be worked on some of which include:
- Exposed electrical wires,
- Absence of safety signage,
- Lack of standard chairs,
- Absence of standard toilets,
- Lack of protective wears at the factory,
- Unsafe stacking of goods,
- Overcrowding, etc.
[READ ALSO: Is Forte Oil Plc considering changing its name following acquisition?]
It was also stated that the access routes are not clearly demarcated. As a matter of fact, the company’s entire safety management protocol is allegedly poor. A representative of the commission had asked the company to provide their emergency kit but unfortunately, they couldn’t provide any. In response, the company’s lawyer stated that they are in partnership with the General hospital located around the area where the workers are normally sent to when they fall sick.
The Chinese company will not be reopened until all the safety measures are adequately met.
Note that while this may be the first time the Lagos State Safety Commission is sealing off a company, this is not the first time a Chinese company is getting shut down in Lagos. As Nairametrics recently reported, Aokete Lighting Electronics Ltd was recently shut down for committing forgery.
[READ MORE: GoKada to add luxury yacht service to its operations]
That proactive move is just a medicine after death. A life is lost already. They are many firms like them still operating under poor safety measures for their workers.
The verdict is okay. They should not reopen until required safety tools are provided and enforce them to pay the family of the deceased worker.
may his sole rest in peace.find life is gone government sealed the company over unprotected environment to work is public find when fat envelope passes to u guys will u still make it public?.government doesn’t care abt us instead they pay more attention to their dogs.