Some Labour leaders on Wednesday described the Federal Government’s decision to repatriate 22 expatriates in INTELS Nigeria Ltd over immigration quota violations as a welcome development.
The leaders, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, commended the government’s plan to repatriate the expatriates, until they are able to regularise their immigration papers.
NAN recalls that lawmakers in Abuja on Tuesday alleged that the management of INTELS Nigeria had been involved in several violations against the provisions of the Local Content Law, since 2010.
It was further alleged that besides the violation of expatriate quota for seven years, the INTELS management had also been involved in the indiscriminate sack of its Nigeria workers.
Prince Adeyanju Adewale, President, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), said that government’s decision would instil the fear and respect for the nation’s labour laws on expatriates.
“It is a good thing and a welcome development if the government deports the 22 expatriates. If such actions had been taken in the past, expatriates would have learnt to respect the nation’s local content laws.
“It is sad that expatriates unjustly sack Nigeria workers, which they cannot do that in their countries. We are happy that the lawmakers are looking into such issues now, for improve welfare for Nigerian workers,’’ Adewale said.
Mr Chris Onyedika, Deputy General Secretary, United Labour Congress (ULC), also hailed the government’s decision to stop the abuse of expatriate quota.
Onyedika said that the decision would help the country economically, as well as create more income for the nation.
“These expatriates are paid in dollars. Worse is that many of them are hired to do jobs Nigerians can do. They are brought in to work as filters and Nigerians can also do the job well,’’ he said.
Onyedika, however, urged the government not to use its decision as a political tool, but to ensure that expatriates who breach the nation’s Labour laws were prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers have given the INTELS management an order to recall sacked workers and pay their terminal benefits. (NAN)
CHIN/OFN/PIO