Ogun workers walk out of a Chinese factory and protest against the death of their colleagues
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Workers at a Chinese-owned recycling plant that was burnt down in Abule Ododo, Papalanto-Ilaro Road, Ogun State, protested the deaths of their co-workers in resigning from the company.
PUNCH Metro observed that the workers, numbering around 50, demanded justice for the deceased workers.
Our correspondent had reported that the recycling business caught fire on Sunday when the lid of a loaded machine fell off, causing an explosion.
Three factory workers on duty were reportedly burned to death, while some suffered varying degrees of injury.
During our reporter's visit to the company on Tuesday, their colleagues were seen at the entrance to the company looking sad.
At around 1:48 p.m., the workers stormed the company premises, claiming that they were no longer working for the company.
Although PUNCH Metro was not allowed to enter the premises, one of the workers revealed that the Chinese company urged them not to go.
He said, "A traditional leader also urged us to be calm that the company would pay for the work we had done this month.
"The monarch also promised that the company would do something to ensure that the victims were compensated.
“The Chinese also appealed to us and promised to turn over a new leaf. But I'm leaving this place whether they like it or not."
Workers told our correspondent that company management should be held responsible for the fire that killed their colleagues.
They alleged that management locked them inside the premises during the incident to protect them from the public.
One of the workers, Chukwu Nwokolo, said they were told to fetch water with buckets and put out the fire.
Nwokolo said his colleagues lost their lives fleeing the explosion, which destroyed almost all of the company's machinery.
He said, “What happened is an unfortunate situation; it was really meanness on the part of the company.
"When the fire happened, they asked us to use buckets to get water to put out the fire. We tried a lot, but we still lost our colleagues.
“The deceased were more than three; some have been burned beyond recognition, and so far the fire has not been extinguished.
“Chinedu was one of those who died. He was a popular person in the factory. It happened all of a sudden, no one thought it would happen."
Another worker, Tolu Aderibigbe, alleged that the company mistreated them before the incident.
When our correspondent attempted to enter the premises, a man who was later identified as a supervisor said that management could not deal with the media.
Ogun State Environment Commissioner Ola Oresanya said the business would be sealed off once the fire is extinguished.
State Police Public Relations Officer Abimbola Oyeyemi said he was unaware of the incident.
Please share this story:
Please share this story:
Workers at a Chinese-owned recycling plant that was burnt down in Abule Ododo, Papalanto-Ilaro Road, Ogun State, protested the deaths of their co-workers in resigning from the company.
PUNCH Metro observed that the workers, numbering around 50, demanded justice for the deceased workers.
Our correspondent had reported that the recycling business caught fire on Sunday when the lid of a loaded machine fell off, causing an explosion.
Three factory workers on duty were reportedly burned to death, while some suffered varying degrees of injury.
During our reporter's visit to the company on Tuesday, their colleagues were seen at the entrance to the company looking sad.
At around 1:48 p.m., the workers stormed the company premises, claiming that they were no longer working for the company.
Although PUNCH Metro was not allowed to enter the premises, one of the workers revealed that the Chinese company urged them not to go.
He said, "A traditional leader also urged us to be calm that the company would pay for the work we had done this month.
"The monarch also promised that the company would do something to ensure that the victims were compensated.
“The Chinese also appealed to us and promised to turn over a new leaf. But I'm leaving this place whether they like it or not."
Workers told our correspondent that company management should be held responsible for the fire that killed their colleagues.
They alleged that management locked them inside the premises during the incident to protect them from the public.
One of the workers, Chukwu Nwokolo, said they were told to fetch water with buckets and put out the fire.
Nwokolo said his colleagues lost their lives fleeing the explosion, which destroyed almost all of the company's machinery.
He said, “What happened is an unfortunate situation; it was really meanness on the part of the company.
"When the fire happened, they asked us to use buckets to get water to put out the fire. We tried a lot, but we still lost our colleagues.
“The deceased were more than three; some have been burned beyond recognition, and so far the fire has not been extinguished.
“Chinedu was one of those who died. He was a popular person in the factory. It happened all of a sudden, no one thought it would happen."
Another worker, Tolu Aderibigbe, alleged that the company mistreated them before the incident.
When our correspondent attempted to enter the premises, a man who was later identified as a supervisor said that management could not deal with the media.
Ogun State Environment Commissioner Ola Oresanya said the business would be sealed off once the fire is extinguished.
State Police Public Relations Officer Abimbola Oyeyemi said he was unaware of the incident.
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