COVID-19:  Fresh Job Losses Loom   In Chemical Industry

The National Union of Chemical Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE) has said that

that many companies in the sector were still threatening to downsize their work force as goods had remained in the warehouses unsold as on account of COVID-19 pandemic and closure of Nigeria’s land borders.

The union lamented that  over 10,000 members were sacked in the last one year because of the spread of the pandemic.

It also said the recent reopening of the land borders by the Federal Government has not added  appreciable value to the industry as goods are still trapped in the warehouse

Comrade Goke Olatunji,the President of the union, expressed that  job losses in the country have continued unsolved , terrifying  the employment crisis in the country.

He said:“The announcement by the Federal Government on the opening of the borders has not taken effect. Some of the member companies are already lamenting over poor sales, because their products cannot be exported to neighbouring countries.”

According to him,government’s closure of the land borders without consideration  locally-produced products meant for export should be reviewed.

He added:“Nigeria’s economy cannot be better because of the land border closure. By closing land borders, some other sectors of the economy are suffering.If the options are weighed, it is good for us to open the borders while putting in place efficient and effective monitoring and controlling measures to curb prohibited commodities”.

He  reasoned that further  sack of workers would pauperize  the country , increase insecurity and cause decline of membership of the union.

He emphasized  for the country to consider return to mining, agriculture and manufacturing, with a view to nipping the unemployment level in the bud and boosting the nation’s economy.