Cancels Sallah Break For Employees
A Lagos State-based organisation, Blooms Microfinance Bank (MFB), has been accused of maltreating its workers.
The firm, said to be managed by some Chinese owners, is alleged to prioritise the Chinese calendar over the Nigerian calendar, threatening Nigerian employees who, for example, fail to work during public holidays.
SaharaReporters learnt that many Nigerians were employed in the firm “as loan disbursement and retrievals officers” amid the labour and employee rights abuses allegedly ongoing there.
A source told SaharaReporters on Saturday that workers at the organisation, located on Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja, are subjected to “forced labour,” with employees who fail to work on public holidays being fired amid other ill-treatments within the organisation.
It was also reported that workers are made to work during weekends. For instance, the upcoming Sallah celebrations will not offer a break for staff, as emails have been sent reminding them of the need to work on the declared public holidays.
The email seen by SaharaReporters reads in part: “In line with the announced Eid al-Fitr celebrations scheduled for March 31st and April 1st, 2025, the work schedule for these days will be communicated and shared to accommodate all necessary arrangements.”
“Please note that this schedule will be designated for remote or onsite work, based on the performance metrics observed for the month so far,” the email continued.
A source also informed SaharaReporters that a petition is being planned to be sent to the organisation over the continued abuse of workers’ rights and the denigration
It was further noted that “forced labour, which workers at the organisation are subjected to, is prohibited under Section 374 of the Penal Code. This section makes it a criminal offence to unlawfully compel any person to labour against their will.”
The source also accused the organisation of violating the “Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015,” which prohibits trafficking in persons, including forced labour.
When contacted, an official of the organisation who identified himself simply as Anthony declined to comment on the matter.
“I cannot comment on this development at the moment; we can comment if you write to us,” he told SaharaReporters.