IndustriALL Global Union has pledged support for Nigerian workers amid mounting concerns over alleged labour abuses by foreign-owned companies in the manufacturing and quarry sectors.
The global labour body made the commitment during a high-level visit to the secretariat of the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees in Sango, where workers’ welfare dominated discussions.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Bolarinwa Sunday, president of the union, alleged persistent inhumane treatment of Nigerian workers, particularly in some Chinese-owned manufacturing and quarry firms.
He said the situation had become systemic, citing widespread casualisation of workers, denial of union access, and violations of labour laws.
“This trend is seriously affecting the union as a whole and undermining workers’ dignity,” he said.
Bolarinwa warned that the union would take decisive action if the situation persists, describing conditions in some workplaces as unacceptable.
Backing the union’s position, Mr. Kemal Özkan, Assistant Secretary-General of IndustriALL, stressed the importance of international solidarity in addressing labour rights violations.
He said effective collective bargaining remains key to improving working conditions and pledged the organisation’s support for developing a sustainable policy framework for Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
Also speaking, Ms. Rose Omamo, IndustriALL’s Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa, called for fair and transparent union recognition processes, free from interference or intimidation.
“Our goal is to ensure trade union recognition based on free and fair elections,” she said.
Omamo added that stronger collaboration between global and local unions would help drive structural reforms across industries and improve conditions along global supply chains.
In her remarks, Ms. Paule Ndessomin, Regional Secretary for IndustriALL, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustained partnership with the Nigerian union.
“We look forward to close collaboration. Your collective leverage is a valuable tool to drive respect for workers’ rights,” Ndessomin said.
The development underscores growing concerns over labour practices in parts of Nigeria’s industrial sector and signals increased international scrutiny of workers’ rights and conditions.
