The construction firm owned by Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire and close ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gilbert Chagoury, has sacked over 150 workers for staging a protest against poor remuneration and slave-like working conditions.
The latest development is the firm’s response to the protest that erupted last week at the company’s site in Lagos, where workers downed tools and marched in protest against years of neglect, unfair pay, and exploitative labour practices.
“They handpicked those that participated in the protest,” one of the workers revealed. “We got the report yesterday that over 150 people were sacked, including one of the site supervisors. They accused them of causing unrest.
“What really led to the protest last week was that the workers demanded for improved welfare. For instance, the transport allowance was N2000 daily and the management did not increase after removal of subsidy. The increment of transport fares made life uncomfortable for the workers and they begged the management to increase the transport allowance but they turned deaf ears.”
“This was what resulted in the protest last week and this pushed them to increase the money from N2000 to N3500. But they have sacked about 150 workers now, particularly those behind the protest,” the worker added.
He also highlighted long-standing grievances at the company, including exploitation of Nigerian staff by their foreign counterparts and forced work on public holidays.
“Other issues that the workers are not pleased with are the foreign domination and working during the public holidays. Like today now (Democracy Day), we don’t have holiday. Even this Monday (Sallah Break), we were forced to work.”
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