A reader of
OluFamous.Com sent this in, calling on Minister of Labour and other relevant agencies to intervene over what he suffered while working at British American Tobacco factory in Ibadan:
Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment
Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige
2nd Floor (257-237), Block 4A, New Federal
Secretariat Complex, Shehu Shagari Way
Central Area, Abuja Dear Sir,
OPEN LETTER: My Health and Working condition predicament while working at British America Tobacco factory in Ibadan as a Team Leader and First Aider.
Kindly sacrifice few minutes of your valued time to read this summarized plight I went through while in service at BAT factory in Ibadan. I believe with your intervention Sir, I will get justice.
I was diagonised of a deadly liver problem in June 2014 during the compulsory periodical medical examination as stated in Labour Act. The company doctor played down the result and refused to produce a printed report when requested for.I trusted her and decided not to bother her about the printed report.
In August 2015, an voluntary diagnostic organisation( SEHAM DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES LTD) conduct a voluntary medical test for Liver related disease and handed over the result to me directly. It was this report that revealed to me what British American Tobacco, Ibadan Management did not want me to know. Since then I have several discussions with BAT managemnet at different levels.
I taught I will received favourable response or support, instead my Line Manager (Mr Abdul Adewale Tahir) was instructed to frustrate me out. Additional resposibility of one of my colleague that resigned a month earlier was added to me without any additional encouragement or support but just to frustrate me to resign. I pleaded severally and my Solicitors wrote company on my behalf twice but BATN Management remained adamant to help but NEVER DENIED my health condition.
This finally led to my resignation (already predicted by solicitor to BATN Management six weeks earlier) on 27th of June, 2016. My Solicitor also pleaded on my behalf to BATN Managing Director (Chris_Mcallister – Non Nigerian) to assist in treatment, unfortunate BAT refused once again to help but they DID NOT DENIED my health issue. British American Tobacco Managemnet is dominated with Non-Nigerians and it is very clear that they are only after money, but careless about Nigerian workers health/life. You could remember Sir that it was your approval that brough Labour Union to BATN (It was in BATN’s employee’s handbook to dismiss any staff practising unionising within the factory before your approval).
About a year a go, one worker died inside BATN factory (in front of Operation Director’s House – A Kenyan in the name of Charlse Kyalo). This was secretly covered up because the man’s death was related to health and work overloading issues.
Your prompt intervension on my issue will definetly liberate many currently working inside this factory in Ibadan.
Sir, you are my last hope and for many others in similar situation. I need support to get my self treated and fully get rid of this curable disease contacted while working with BATN. Unfortunate it is difficult for me to get employed as many companies do not employ one with such Liver disease (including BAT) and I believe your intervention will be honoured and respected by British American Tobacco, Nigeria’s Management.
Finally Sir, thanks as you continue to liberate us gradually from modern time slavery in British American Tobacco, Ibadan Factory by these foreigners managing affair of such globally reputable organisation.
God bless,
Falana O. V
Ibadan, Oyo State
