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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday shut down a Chinese company, Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation, over what it described as dehumanising condition of Nigerian workers in the company. The union arrived at the company located at the new headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Lugbe, Abuja as early as 7:30am. 

Our correspondent who was at the scene reports that there was initial resistance as the gate of the company was locked against the protesting union and its picketing team but was later opened by the management. The management of the construction company did not speak on the protest or respond to the allegations raised by labour. He lamented that one of the workers, a driver identified as Mr Augustine, died due to neglect and lack of timely medical attention.

“No pension, no gratuity, no food, no water and no explanation, where will help come from? Every day, we plead with the government to provide a minimal social security floor, to no avail. That is the challenge we have. This challenge is real,” Ugboaja said. She said the Chinese company failed to heed her pleas for assistance and instead issued a termination letter to her husband.