EXCLUSIVE: From promise to pain: Workers say Kwara garment factory now a “burden, not a blessing”

•Govt shuts facility after workers’ protest

Some workers at the Kwara Garment Factory have accused the management of subjecting them to poor welfare conditions, non-increment of salary, and harsh policies that they claim make them feel like “secondary school students.”

Tension flared on Monday morning at the factory in Ilorin as aggrieved staff members staged a protest over alleged non-increment of salaries for over a year.

The workers, who gathered in large numbers at the factory gate and within the premises, demanded the immediate increment of their salary and expressed anger over certain clauses contained in their appointment letters, which they described as exploitative.

The protest disrupted operations and threatened to escalate before the intervention of security operatives, whose presence helped restore order and prevent the situation from degenerating into chaos.

Following the demonstration, the Kwara State Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology announced a temporary closure of the facility as part of a transition process to new management.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, the shutdown is part of a handover process following the selection of a preferred bidder to take over the factory’s operations.

“Sequel to the advertisement on the expression of interest published in national newspapers in compliance with public procurement regulations for the outsourcing of the management of the garment factory, we are glad to announce that a preferred winner has emerged,” the statement read.

“The garment factory will, therefore, be temporarily shut down to undertake pre-handover maintenance and inventory checks. All civil servants seconded to the garment factory are to return to their ministries, while trainees are advised to apply to the successful bidder for engagement.”

Adelodun added that all trainees would be paid a one-month training allowance during the transition period.

Meanwhile, one of the protesting workers, who spoke to The Informant247 on condition of anonymity, expressed appreciation to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for establishing the garment factory — describing it as “a blessing to Kwara” — but said the situation had since deteriorated.

“We were handled like children under threat of dismissal”

“From our first day at work, things changed drastically. The way we are being handled is nothing different from how secondary school students are treated,” the source said. “We were told we’d be under six months’ probation, and that any shortcoming could lead to our dismissal. That threat kept us silent even when things weren’t right.”

He explained that they were trained by Indian professionals and produced thousands of garments during their first few months but were not paid for the initial three months of service. “They later offered us a probation letter with N50,000 per month, after owing us three months. Even then, they deducted N2,000 monthly and paid just two months out of the three.”

“Six months passed, no confirmation letter, no increase”

According to the source, despite completing their probation, the management failed to issue confirmation letters or improve their pay. “We reminded them after eight months, but they said they were still working on it. This is our 16th or 17th month, yet we are still earning the same amount.”

He also alleged that their wages are subject to deductions for missed days, even when absences are due to illness. “If any operator misses one day, N2,500 is deducted. There’s no leave, no bonuses, and no welfare. We can’t even rest when sick because we fear deductions.”

“One of us died last month in the process of repeated promises”

The source said continuous unfulfilled promises from the management had taken a toll on workers physically and mentally, with one colleague reportedly losing his life last month.

“While they kept assuring us that things would soon change, one of our co-workers died in the process,” he recounted. “He was ill but couldn’t stay at home to rest because he feared they would deduct from his salary. That’s how bad things have become.”

He described the working environment as one that leaves staff constantly anxious and exhausted. “Most of us have families, wives, and children to care for, but after paying transport fare, nothing remains,” another worker said. “We are completely worn out, yet we keep pushing in the hope that one day the government will intervene.”

“Supervisors earn almost double, but can’t sew”

The source further accused the management of favoritism, claiming that supervisors — who “barely do the real sewing” — earn almost double their pay. “We, the machine operators, earn N48,000 monthly, while supervisors, who are less than 20 and do lighter work, earn N95,000 each. Some can’t even sew a complete garment.”

The protesting workers said they had raised their concerns several times but were threatened by the Managing Director against any “funny moves” that could lead to the factory’s closure. “We decided on a peaceful protest because if the Governor doesn’t hear us, he can’t help us,” they said.

They maintained that their action was not politically motivated but a plea for fairness. “We are seeking the Governor’s mercy to remember us. We remain loyal citizens who don’t engage in violence. We only want improved welfare and dignity at work.”