Writing By Daniel Karlmax, Editing By Godwin Duru
The Coalition of Close Unpaid Textile Workers Association in Kaduna has issued an appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and northern stakeholders to urgently facilitate the payment of their long-overdue gratuities and terminal benefits.
The appeal was made during a peaceful rally held at the gate of the defunct Arewa Textile Company in Kaduna, under the theme: “Save Arewa Textile Workers, Widows, and Orphans.”
Chairman of the Association, Comrade Wordam Simdik said the rally was organized to express the long-standing frustration of former workers whose lives have been marred by hardship following the closure of the textile mills without compensation.
According to Comrade Simdik, over ten thousand workers from various textile companies including Kaduna Textile Limited, KTL, Nortex Finetex, and Arewa Textile Mills PLC have been affected.
He stated that KTL was closed in two thousand and two, with Nortex Finetex in 2003, and Arewa Textile Mills in 2004, all without paying the workers their due entitlements.
“Over 3,000 of our members have died without receiving their gratuity or terminal benefits, their widows and orphans are left in devastating conditions.” Simdik lamented.
He added that the affected workers and their families are now facing dire situations including homelessness, inability to pay children’s school fees, and mounting medical bills.
The association is urging key northern leaders including the Northern Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, to intervene and facilitate discussions with the original owners of the companies.
According to Simdik, Arewa Textile was owned by the family of Paul Achimugu, Kaduna Textile Limited was a joint venture of the 19 northern states, while Nortex Finetex was owned by the late Aminu Dantata.
The workers alleged that the owners have consistently denied them access and failed to engage with them on the issue of unpaid entitlements.
He recalled that the association had previously written to the 9th National Assembly and was invited to Abuja for deliberations, but despite the efforts of lawmakers and even the former Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, no payments were made.
“We are now raising our voices again loud and clear, calling on all northern stakeholders and the federal government to save us, We’re not asking for too much just what we rightfully earned through decades of service.” said Simdik.
The association also raised concerns over the rebranding of Arewa Textile to Binnett International, allegedly without settling outstanding liabilities owed to former workers.
“We want to know the new owner. If he is willing to pay us our gratuity, we have no objection to his ownership.” Simdik Stated
Widows of deceased workers also spoke at the rally, sharing heartbreaking testimonies of how the non-payment has affected their families.
Adama David and Fatu Dom, both widows of former workers, described the situation as “devastating,” and pleaded for urgent government intervention.
“Many of us can’t feed our children or send them to school. We beg the government to remember us,” said Mrs .David.
The Coalition is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, and other national leaders to act swiftly and bring an end to the suffering of thousands of unpaid textile workers and their families.
Cover/ Daniel Karlmax
