SEVEN former workers of Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc, including Mr John Kpokpowey, a supervisor, have died fighting for their gratuities after 30 years of service with Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc.

Pension and You gathered that Kpokpowey died on October 30 due to lack of fund and adequate medical attention after he fell sick.

Others said to have died while struggling for their benefits in the last six years include Mrs. Salifat Sunni, a machine operator, Mrs Mary Nwadibe, an operator in the ruling section, Mr. O. Odesanya, a security man, Mr M.A.Efunwole, a machine operator, Mr. S.A Ajayi, a driver and Mr. E. Bode, a driver.

The unfortunate story was made known on Monday during a protest by sacked and servicing workers of Thomas Wyatt over non-payment of their benefits and entitlements.

The placard carrying workers and ex-workers blocked the entrance of the company in Abebe village in Lagos demanding for the payment of their entitlements.

Mr Bode Alade, ex staff and spokes person of the group lamented that about 200 ex-staff of the organization were demanding for the payment of their gratuity after leaving the office in 2005.

According to him, “I worked as a supervisor for 30 years and was not paid any money when I was retrenched. Other workers have also put in between 29 and 35 years of service without benefit. Pregnant women mounted machines for over 20 years of services and they are now dying because of their own money.”

The ex-staff said that attempt by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to hold meetings with the current management of the company to solve the problem were unsuccessful.

He alleged that the Managing Director, of company, Mr Emman Obinyan failed to attend the several meetings fixed by the Ministry.

One of the workers, Mr Simeon Olayemi, claimed the company had not been paying existing workers constant salary, lamenting that“the management is irregular with their salary in spite of the money the company makes from the rent. In November, the company collected N60 million as rent from companies and car parks occupying Thomas Wyatts building.”

Olayemi said it was regrettable that 60 workers in the company earn less than N30,000 as monthly salary.

Another ex-staff who spoke on anonymity alleged that when Kpokpowey was sick, his family came to Thomas Wyatt and appealed to the management to pay his gratuity to enable them take pay his bills in the hospital but the management refused.

The ex-staff said that the current management was insensitive to the plight of the workers in spite of their several pleas for their money to be paid after being disengaged for six years.

Efforts to get the management comment were unsuccessful.