That is why the Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association , FOBTOB, under the leadership of Jiomh Oyibo, is raising an alarm over the violation of the law on the quota of foreign and local workers in the industry. A communique signed by Oyibo and Solomon Adebosin, President and Executive Secretary of FOBTOB respectively, raised concerns about the influx of expatriates in the food and beverage industry. The communique was signed after the 15th National Delegates Conference of the association in Asaba, Delta State.
According to the association, any abuse of the quota by the employers should be flagged to the appropriate Agency to safeguard Nigerian workers. It laments that “The influx of expatriates has assumed a worrisome dimension in the Food, Beverage and Tobacco industry”, suggesting, therefore, that “the Association should work with the relevant Government Agencies to protect jobs meant for the indigenous workers. Therefore, any abuse of the quota by the employers should be flagged to the appropriate Agency to safeguard Nigerian workers.”
FOBTOB believes that the task should not be left to labour activists alone, rather “There is a need for unity and collaboration in finding solutions to highlighted perennial issues confronting the Food, Beverage and Tobacco industry in Nigeria.”
The communiqué further stated that “The Food, Beverage and Tobacco industry is the livewire of the country with the capacity to boost the GDP and the stakeholders – Government, Employers and Labour must work together for its sustainability. The economy of Nigeria is in dire straits and the Delegates call on the Government to put all machinery in place to arrest the situation and thereby put in check the rising inflation.”
The delegates identified some of the challenges faced by workers in the economy. According to them, these include, “The issues of subsidy removal, increase in electricity tariff and the fall of the Naira value in the currency market (which has done some) harm (to) the industry’s profitability.”
They are of the opinion that the Federal Government must involve all stakeholders in the formulation of policies that affect the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Industry through proper engagement and thus protecting the interest of the Workers.
Looking at the economy of its host state, the conference states that “The investment potential inherent in Delta State was suggested to be harnessed by the management in the Food, Beverage and Tobacco industry because of the culture, historical endowments and easy access to the state.
“The Conference-in-Session counseled the Association to ensure that the scheduled elections comply with the Association’s Constitution and Rules for acceptability. Government Agencies should recognise labour as a stakeholder rather than adversaries or competitors.
“The hyperinflation in the economy has resulted in hunger and starvation, the Delegates therefore called on the Government to fulfill the promises made during campaigns and run the nation’s economy in a way that will make it possible for Nigerians to afford the essential commodities.”
The delegates reminded the government that “Industrial peace and harmony are a sine qua non for productivity; therefore, stakeholders in the industry have the responsibility to protect the industry through social dialogue and engagements.
The delegates warned, “The Decent Work Agenda as enshrined in the labour laws and ILO Conventions is important to keep the industry from collapse, and it is incumbent on the employer to uphold it.”
