Anambra Heavy Equipment Operators seek improved welfare, industrial harmony for greater productivity By OGEMDI OZOEMENAM, Awka The leadership of the Heavy Equipment Operators section (HEOPS) of the Nigerian Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) Anambra State chapter has stressed the need for improved welfare of workers, strict adherence to work ethics, law and commitment to work as well as proper understanding of the rules and regulations as major ingredients of growth and industrial harmony between employers and employees in the sector.
Comrade Kelvin Chibuzor Onyah, chairman of the HEOPS of the NUMW stated this on Wednesday during the strategic one-day Face-to-Face Meeting of the union held in Awkuzu, Oyi local government area of the state. Onyah cautioned that acts of constant intimidation, harassment, non payment of monthly salaries, inadequate care and other forms of maltreatment against heavy equipment operators by expatriate and local employers, could endanger productivity and slow down development.
He frowned seriously at reports about the sudden suspension of some members by their employers without thorough investigations, a development he noted, negates work ethics but promised to wade into all complaints to ensure that peace and understanding prevail. This is as members of the HEOPS of the union appointed seven new executive officers to strengthen and ensure smooth running of affairs of the body in the state.
Amongst the newly appointed executives include Comrade Alagwu Enyibuike Chijioke as State Vice Chairman, Comrade Sabo Malachy (Assistant State Secretary), Mr. Anozie Nzubechukwu (State Financial Secretary) and Smart C. Osigwe (Asst. Financial Secretary). Others are Comrade Ibrahim Odaudu (Taskforce 3), Comrade Tony Agadi (Elder statesman 2) and Comrade Wesu Momodu Kebiru (Elder statesman 3).
Comrade Onyah urged the members to always strive towards unity and progress of the union by making positive contributions, regular payment of their dues and working hard to protect the image of the association. He expressed deep concerns over poor treatment being meted to most of the heavy equipment operators in Ogbaru, Onitsha and other LGAs of the state, particularly the payment of paltry sums of between N20,000, N15,000 and N10,000 as hiring fee as against the officially approved N30,000 or above.
He explained that the body should consult with the leadership of the labour union and to interface with some of the defaulting companies and organizations towards ensuring an upward review of the hiring fee to N50,000 to be at par with current realities and what obtains amongst other operators across the country. According to him, the heavy equipment operators play a vital role in infrastructural advancement, economic development and social process: "The work of the heavy equipment operators is very strategic and indispensable because without them there is nothing like road construction, building of houses and bridges, movement of heavy materials and even production cannot take place in most companies due to their essential services.
For instance, civil engineering works won't take place in construction and building activities without our services," he said. "These explains why they must be treated fairly and genuinely with regards to their welfare issues," Onyah urged. "And, of course, they are expected to behave well and be disciplined wherever they are doing their jobs without any forms of maltreatment, harassment or intimidation.
That harmony must be there and guaranteed at all times for there to be peace, growth and development in the country." Onyah commended the administration of Prof Charles Soludo in Anambra State and the federal government for the massive road infrastructure and other construction works which created employment opportunities for heavy equipment operators and youth as well as the prevailing atmosphere of peace and security.
The Nigerian Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) is an affiliate of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
