Nine Ex-Employees Die Waiting for INTELS to Pay Terminal Benefits

At least nine former employees of Integrated Logistic Services (INTELS) Nigeria Limited have tragically passed away while awaiting the payment of their terminal and other benefits. Numerous other affected workers are reportedly in deteriorating health, unable to afford proper medical care due to the financial strain caused by unpaid entitlements.

Background of the Case

Between 2020 and 2021, over 624 staff members were disengaged by INTELS without receiving their legally mandated benefits. These employees, hired by INTELS and seconded to Associated Maritime Services (AMS) Limited, faced redundancy but were left unpaid. The situation has left many former staff members destitute, with no resolution in sight.

Those who have died include Rhoda Oberueuria, Austine Okunsaye, Friday Ikwut, Nwabueze Okocha, Kennedy James, Wisdom Mbakanawo, Timothy Lucky, Gumikup Friday, and Andrew Ikpate. Others, such as Iyara Best Oghenewede, Vincent Adolphus, and Gogo Dagogo Ngeribara, are battling severe health issues without resources for treatment.

Legal Efforts to Secure Payments

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), representing the affected workers, took the case to the Ministry of Labour and Employment after reconciliation efforts with INTELS failed. The ministry referred the matter to the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP), which ruled in 2021 that INTELS and AMS should pay all entitlements, including gratuities and terminal benefits.

The ruling stipulated that workers with five or more years of service should receive ₦300,000 per completed year of service as redundancy benefits. Despite this, INTELS challenged the IAP’s decision at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), which upheld the order but directed the company to negotiate payment terms with MWUN.

Continued Stalemate and Appeal

INTELS has consistently refused to negotiate, opting instead to pursue appeals at higher courts. The Court of Appeal has twice denied INTELS‘ requests to appeal the NICN ruling. Nevertheless, the company remains unwilling to engage with MWUN, leaving workers’ rights in limbo.

Rising Concerns and Renewed Union Efforts

The MWUN has expressed deep concern over the escalating hardships faced by the sacked workers, including rising mortality rates. In a letter dated November 20, 2024, MWUN’s Secretary General, Felix Akingboye, urged INTELS to prioritize negotiations to resolve the issue. The union proposed a meeting on December 6, 2024, at a venue convenient for INTELS’ management.

The letter highlighted:

• INTELS’ failure to comply with court orders.
• The importance of preserving industrial harmony amidst ongoing financial and political challenges.
• MWUN’s commitment to resolving the issue amicably, ensuring workers’ rights and employer operations coexist productively.

Call to Action

This prolonged impasse between INTELS and MWUN underscores the critical need for compliance with labor laws and fair treatment of workers. The plight of these former employees is a stark reminder of the human cost of corporate negligence. INTELS must urgently address these grievances to restore its reputation and uphold the welfare of its workforce.