The National Integrated Labor and Factory Inspection by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has started in Akwa Ibom state.
The Ministry has indicated satisfaction with the degree of adherence by businesses and organizations in the state to Labour Laws and Acts as well as with international standards.
After leading a delegation of ministry officials on an inspection visit to Savanna Energy limited and Champion Breweries in Uyo, the State capital, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Daju Kachellom, spoke to the press in Uyo on Monday.
She clarified that the purpose of the visit was to verify that labor regulations were being followed, not to look into the organizations’ internal problems.
“We are here actually to flag-off the National Integrated labour and factory Inspection, to ensure that factories and industries comply with labour laws of the country as well as with global expectations,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary added, ” We have interfaced with the management, and we are quite happy with what we have seen; their compliance with certain Labour Acts.
“The Union is happy with them as well and we want to tell other factories and organisations in Akwa Ibom that we are here not on the investigation; it is just to ensure that the laws which are applicable to all industries have been carried out and abhere to and ensure that decent workplace for employees is guaranteed”
“As you know, we are Labour and Employment, so we are actually very concerned about the welfare of the staff as well as the organisations.
“If they are in tune with national standards in terms of occupational safety as well as ensure that the social contract between the organizations and the people is well understood and guaranteed.”
According to the director of the inspectorate unit of the ministry, Mr. Ajuwon Dauda Adeniyi, though the ministry apply sanctions where necessary, the essence of the inspection, he said, is to “point out areas where compliance level is low and tell the organizations what is expected of them.”
In Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, the team was shown through the various divisions and facilities of Champion Breweries Limited and Savannah Energy Limited.
