DISENGAGED workers of Kaduna textile companies have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani to intervene in resolving the non-payment of N35 billion gratuities and compensation owed them by textile companies.
The workers made the appeal in a statement under the aegis of the “Coalition of Closed Unpaid Textile Workers of Nigeria” Kaduna State chapter.
They decried that the unpaid entitlements were owed to them by Kaduna Textiles Ltd, Arewa Textiles Plc, Nortex and Fine Tex Ltd.
The disengaged staff in a statement jointly signed by the coalition’s Chairman, Jeibe Wordam, and Secretary, Samuel Ibrahim, said the textile firms ceased operations between 2002 and 2004 without settling the benefits of employees.
The coalition explained that the closure of the companies left more than 9,000 workers unemployed, adding that many former employees and their dependents had suffered severe hardship over the years.
According to the coalition, many workers and family members had reportedly died during the prolonged struggle for payment of the outstanding entitlements.
The workers noted that Kaduna Textiles reportedly shut down in 2002, while Nortex and Fine Tex closed in 2003, with Arewa Textiles Plc ceasing operations in December 2004.
They lamented that repeated appeals and engagements with relevant stakeholders had yet to yield concrete action toward payment of their gratuities and compensation.
The coalition further stated that many of the former workers, most of whom were now above 60 years old, had been pushed into poverty and could no longer secure jobs or establish businesses due to lack of financial support.
They added that widows and children of deceased workers were also facing difficulties in accessing healthcare and education amid the current economic situation in the country.
The group recalled that it had previously petitioned the House of Representatives during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and attended a hearing in Abuja before the expiration of the 9th National Assembly.
The workers appealed to the Federal Government, the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Northern Governors’ Forum, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to assist in facilitating the payment of the alleged N35 billion outstanding benefits. (NAN)
