THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA 2005 - UNDP Nigeria ...

George Ikeokwu, a 38 year old, construction worker, an indigene of Onitsha in Anambra State,was a staff of an Italian Company, Gitto Constructioni Genarali, Nig. Ltd, which is handling theconstruction of the National Christian Centre, located opposite the Central Bank of NigeriaAbuja. Ikeokwu alleged he had worked with the Company for 15 months but was dismissed becausehe became incapacitated by an industrial accident.According to Ikeokwu, on the 15 th of May 2005, at about 2.00 a.m., while on night work, hesufferedelectric shock, lost consciousness and was taken to the site clinic within the construction site. At dawn,Jude Adure, the Personnel Manager to the company, directed that he be moved to Zankli Hospital,located at Mabushi, Abuja. He was therefore transferred from the site clinic to Zankli at about 10.00a.m. where he was admitted and diagnosed to be suffering from paralysis, due to the shock. Ikeokwuspent two months and seven days (16 th May – 23 rd July 2005), at the hospital. While at the hospital, hewas visited twice, by representatives of the company, in the first two weeks of his admission. While stillrecuperating at the hospital, Ikeokwu was issued with a dismissal letter. He was dismissed withoutcompensation and the company did not pay his hospital bills. His family had to pay the bills and takehim home.Meanwhile, in the appointment letter issued to him before assumption of office, the company stated thathe should be paid one­month salary in lieu as compensation. His monthly salary was N17, 000. But hewas neither paid the one­month salary in lieu nor paid for the period he was on admission in thehospital. When Ikeokwu went to the company premises to complain against this treatment, he was notallowed inside. Upon investigation, Johnson Ekpe and Ephraim Okonkwo, who are employees of thecompany, alleged that two other staff of the company had suffered a similar situation as they too, weredismissed without due process and no compensation was paid to them.This is a violation of Ikeokwu’s right to favourable condition of work as provided by Article 23, UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights, and Article 15, African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, as well asthe provision of the Workmen’s Compensation Act.RECOMMENDATIONS1) Construction companies in Nigeria and indeed all employers should be sensitized on the needto follow due process in the termination of employment of their staff.2) Workers in Gitto Constructioni Genarali, Nig. Ltd should be paid compensation for injuriessustained in the course of their work, as stipulated under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.3) There is need to review the Workmen’s Compensation Act with a view to bringing it into linewith the present economic realities of the country.64