Enimere Àkànbí
The Workers of Karma Agric Feeds & Foods Limited have issued a direct appeal to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, Ministry of Labour and Employment, and other stakeholders to intervene in what they describe as systemic neglect of basic employee welfare and rights at the company.
In a strongly worded letter obtained by our reporter, the staff outlined eight key demands they say are critical to their health, dignity, and productivity, warning that the current conditions undermine national labour standards and Federal Government’s push for decent work under 1999 Constitution.
The employees, who claim they have been denied formal recognition despite years of service, are calling on government regulators and industry stakeholders to enforce compliance with Nigerian labour law.
The Staff allege they operate without official appointment letters, effectively rendering them casual workers while being publicly identified as company employees.
They are urging the Ministry of Labour to investigate what they call pure bureaucracy that denies them job security.
Citing Section 17 of the 1999 Constitution on employers’ duty to ensure worker health and safety, the staff demand enrolment in NHIS or partnership with recognized hospitals, noting that peer companies like Premium Edible Oil, Olam’s, and Eagle Flour provide such coverage.
The Workers also said they have been denied leave for 365 days annually while management observes 30-day breaks.
They are requesting 25 working days of paid annual leave, stating: “We also have family — fathers, mothers, wives and most importantly our children — that require our undivided attention”
Referencing legal obligations for reasonably practicable safety measures, staff of Karma Agric Feeds & Foods Limited, demand five cans of evaporated milk weekly to combat respiratory disease during production, a practice they say is standard at Sudit Oil and Breed Well.
They also demand a hazard allowance, noting the company is prone to accidents on daily basis.
The letter further alleges marginalization through a new calculation method that has led to short pay for public holiday and Sunday work, despite staff incurring transport costs to report on time.
Overnight and shift allowances, they say, remain unaddressed.
Staff also questioned the lack of end-of-year product gifts, contrasting their situation with Eagle Flour and Yale, where employees receive company products. “We should be a medium to showcase our product to the public,” they wrote, framing it as both staff welfare and marketing.
The workers alleged that the management of the company have neither addressed them nor held meetings on their welfare, forcing them to go public.
They are now calling on Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to audit Karma Agric Feeds for compliance with the Labour Act and constitutional provisions on worker welfare.
They also called on Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to investigate and support unionization efforts.
As well as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and health authorities to assess workplace safety conditions, Industry regulators and peer companies to help establish sector-wide welfare benchmarks.
“We wrote this so we can be at optimal form to maximize profit and take the company to greater heights” the staff stated. “We await swift response and want these issues reviewed, addressed and implemented without further delay.”
Karma Agric Feeds and Foods Limited is yet to responded to requests for comment, while the Ministry of Labour could not be reached at press time.
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