The Dark Side of Private Companies in Oyo State: A Tale of Exploitation and Suffering| Prof. Aniyikaiye

As the sun rises over the bustling streets of Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, thousands of workers troop out to their various places of work, eager to earn a living and provide for their families.

But for many of these workers, their daily grind is a never-ending cycle of exploitation and suffering, courtesy of private companies that seem to care little for their welfare.

The stories of these workers are heart-wrenching. Many of them work for hours on end without breaks, earning meager wages that barely cover their transportation costs.

They are denied basic benefits like health insurance, pension, and leave allowances, leaving them vulnerable to poverty and disease.

Some of them have even reported being physically and verbally abused by their supervisors, who seem to take pleasure in their misery.

Companies like IBEDC, SUMAL, and others have been accused of subjecting their employees to slave-like contracts and undue labor, exploiting them without regard for their well-being or fundamental human rights.

These companies have demonstrated a callous disregard for the welfare of their employees, forcing them to work in inhumane conditions without adequate compensation or benefits.

Recall that the Ministry of Labour and Employment on 25th of February, 2025 mediate in the crisis ensue between The Nigeria Labour Congress and the management of IBEDC over the sacked of over 3,000 workers of IBEDC.

The Ministry gave IBEDC and its Outsourcing Agents 7-days ultimatum to re-instate the sacked workers over the company infringement of the workers rights.

One of the workers, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared his story with us.

“I work for IBEDC in Ibadan,” he said. “I’m paid N50,000 per month, but I work from 7 am to 7 pm, Seven days a week, am not been paid of over-time because in my contract agreement, I have to work for Five days but I work for seven days.

I’m not entitled to any benefits, and if I’m sick, I have to pay for my own medical treatment. It’s a hard life, but I have no choice.”

Another worker, a woman who works for a manufacturing company in Lagos, shared a similar story.

“I’m paid N20,000 per month,” she said. “But I work long hours, and I’m not entitled to any benefits.

I’m just a casual worker, so I can be sacked at any time. It’s a difficult life, but I have to do it to provide for my family.”

The exploitation of workers in Oyo State is not an isolated problem. It’s a national issue that affects millions of workers across the country.

According to a report by the Nigeria Labour Congress, over 70% of workers in Nigeria earn less than N70,000 per month, which is below the national minimum wage.

The report also revealed that many workers in Nigeria are denied basic benefits like health insurance, pension, and leave allowances.

They are also subjected to long working hours, physical and verbal abuse, and unfair labor practices.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has been at the forefront of the fight against worker exploitation in Nigeria.

The organization has organized numerous protests, rallies, and strikes to demand better working conditions, higher wages, and improved benefits for workers.

In Oyo State, the Nigeria Labour Congress has been working closely with the state government to address the issue of worker exploitation.

The organization has also been providing support to workers who have been exploited, including counseling, medical care, and financial assistance.

Despite the efforts of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other organizations, the exploitation of workers in Oyo State and across the country continues to be a major problem.

Many workers are still subjected to poor working conditions, low wages, and unfair labor practices.

To address this problem, the federal and state governments must take concrete actions to regulate private companies and ensure that they adhere to international labor standards.

This includes enforcing laws that protect workers’ rights, providing adequate compensation and benefits, and guaranteeing safe working conditions.

The government must also provide support to workers who have been exploited, including counseling, medical care, and financial assistance.

This will help to alleviate the suffering of these workers and provide them with a sense of dignity and respect.

In addition, private companies must take responsibility for their actions and treat their employees with dignity and respect.

They must provide fair wages, safe working conditions, and adequate benefits, recognizing that their employees are not just machines, but human beings with feelings, hopes, and dreams.

The people of Oyo State and across the country deserve better.

They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and to work in conditions that promote their well-being and prosperity.

They deserve a government that will protect their rights and provide them with support when they need it.

And they deserve private companies that will treat them fairly and with respect.

As we move forward, it is imperative that we remember the struggles of these workers and continue to fight for their rights.

We must continue to hold private companies accountable for their actions, demanding that they treat their employees with dignity and respect.

We must continue to support labor unions and other organizations that are fighting for workers’ rights.

And we must continue to demand that our government takes concrete actions to protect the rights of workers.

The struggle for workers’ rights is a long and difficult one, but it is a struggle that we must continue to wage. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our communities to fight for a better future, a future where workers are treated with dignity and respect, and where private companies are held accountable for their actions.

In conclusion, the exploitation of workers in Oyo State and across the country is a national problem that requires a national solution.

It requires the collective efforts of government, labor unions, and private companies to address the root causes of this problem and provide workers.

By Prof. Aniyikaiye

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