Abuja: 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.
All attempts to get the version of the company through
phone calls or e-mail could not fructify.
In a statement to a news agency, 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.
PTI
