Nigeria’s construction workers’ association is threatening to strike over the layoff of 30,000 workers

Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Workers Association (CCESSA) and National Union of Construction Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) threatened to interrupt the work on main roads due to the ongoing crisis.

Nairametrics has already learned this30,000 employees lost their jobs, and 52,000 more, including:Yes they risk losing their jobs if the situation does not improve.

As a result, many employees have been laid off in the last three months, AND Job offers If at risk if conflicts remain unresolved. 

These unions, affiliated with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), represent senior and junior staff in the construction industry.

Reasons for dismissals 

According to CCESSA National President Ayodeji Adeyemo and NUCECFWW President Stephen Okoro, the dire situation construction workers find themselves in is due to a misunderstanding between the Federation of Construction Industries (FOCI) and the Minister of Works.

Due to this, the industry is experiencing a slowdown.

Adeyemo disclosed that this was a result of the unilateral imposition of new standard contract terms and conditions by the Minister, contrary to the existing terms and conditions approved by the Public Procurement Bureau (BPP) and affected employment in the industry, leading to massive layoffs of workers Nigerian workers who are members of our unions.

Adeyemo noted that the construction industry is the second largest employer in Nigeria after the government. However, he expressed concern about the fact that construction companies are laying off many employees, which is causing a crisis in the industry.

What did he say

According to Adeyemo, 

“More than 30,000 workers have lost their jobs and around 52,000 workers may lose their jobs if precautions are not taken.

“More than 20,000 people have already lost their jobs in the last three months and 32,000 will also lose their jobs if the conflicts are not resolved. 

“We may have no choice but to stop work on major roads if the trend continues.

“Some of the conflict-affected roads are those operated by large construction companies such as RCC, Setraco, Julius Berger, Dantata and Sawoe, among others.

“These are Obajana Road, Abuja-Kano Road, Bodo-Bonny Road, East-West Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Zaria-Sokoto Road and Edo-Auchi Road.

“By laying off people with family and other dependents, you are only calling for more insecurity in the country. Nigeria is currently struggling with insecurity and it is conceivable that 52,000 workers will be laid off.”

 

A protest action is coming

Adeyemo said the trade unions appealed to the Minister of Labor, David Umahi, for relief to the distressed construction sector and not for any form of conflict.

“We call on the federal government to resolve the conflict in the industry by involving all stakeholders in awarding contracts.

“These include the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Works, Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN), Federation of Construction Industries (FOCI), among others.

“We call on the Minister of Works, FOCI and all concerned to amicably resolve the current conflict within 21 days, otherwise both unions will be forced to announce industrial action in the construction industry.”

 

Both unions called for an end to banditry, kidnapping and killings that have become so common in the country, urging security agencies to ensure the safety of construction workers and all Nigerians.