Close to 100 Indian workers employed with Delta Steel Company Plc in Nigeria have alleged that they are yet to get arrears in salaries and benefits for the past 12 months, even after complaining to the High Commission two months ago.
Workers said only 13 resigned cases have been paid since they made their case known through the High Commission late last year and 96 of the 117 Indian workers are yet receive their arrears in salaries and sundry benefits for 12 months.
The workers said they were recruited by Global Steel Holding from India and posted to Nigeria’s southern state of Warri to work for the steel company, whose Chairman is Promod Kumar Mittal, in 2005.
Despite many attempts, the company could not be reached for comment.
In a statement, workers appealed to prevent deaths of Indians in Nigeria due to hunger because of non-payment of salaries pending for one year. The workers said apart from the High Commission, they have also approached other authorities.
“We have approached our Indian high Commission at Abuja, Ministry of Indian Overseas Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, President of India, Members of Parliaments, National Human Rights Commission, Protector General of Immigration and other concerned agencies in India for justice. But we are feeling very helpless as no result has been achieved so far,” the statement said.
A spokesman for workers Dinesh Yadav said the they are kept in Nigeria like bonded labourers without any living allowance and salary for the last 12 months. They also have no transport facility, proper food, electricity, security, medical facility amongst other things. “We have also written to the Chairman of the Company, Promod Kumar Mittal, who is also the brother of steel tycoon L N Mittal,” Yadav said.
It is estimated that 25,000 Indians live in Nigeria.