Investing in creating secure jobs in Nigeria
Investing in creating secure jobs in Nigeria
Bisedge is a pioneering green logistics business, based in Nigeria that provides full-outsourcing solutions for material handling equipment for a growing list of clients. The solutions include the provision of electric forklift trucks and Bisedge also provides forklift handlers.
This element of their service means that, as well as the environmental impact they create, they are also providing decent employment opportunities for hundreds of people as every forklift creates up to 4 socially secured jobs. Bisedge is also dedicated to gender equality and providing secure employment and training for women, who are very much underrepresented in this sector. In fact, Bisedge is the first company in Nigeria to offer jobs for women as forklift drivers.
Having ‘secured employment’ is incredibly important for workers in Nigeria, where 80% of the working population is employed in the ‘informal sector’ (1) where jobs are not secure and Nigeria ranks 3rd in the world in terms of the informal economy as a % of GDP. (2)
One woman who is employed by Bisedge as a forklift handler is Bukes Saliu, a single mother who works to support herself and her 7-year-old son. We want to share with potential investors in Bisedge her story and what it means for her to be employed with Bisedge, as investments in their bond offers will help them grow and employ more women like her in Nigeria.
Bukes - a university graduate - has had several jobs in the past, but she is very excited to take up her role as an electric forklift driver with Bisedge because of the positive impact the business generates for its clients.
One of the great things about the job with Bisedge for Bukes is the training she is given. Having no previous experience in handling forklift trucks, the on-the-job training she receives is vital for her. She says: “Although I can drive normally, there are people that even started the training without having knowledge of driving. I want to say that Bisedge coming with this electric machine is really a great innovation because every woman wants to sit on it. It's flexible. So, talking about the skills, you must think and analyze and practice how to carry the items well. I think we need all these.”
And on the subject of being a female operator in a traditionally male environment, Bukes says “I want to say very big thank you to the HR department for believing in a woman and allowing me to learn on the job. It's a great plus anywhere I go, anywhere I am. I can never forget that gesture because if it isn't a culture here at Bisedge, I don't think I will be allowed or given that opportunity. Yeah, she believed in the ability of another woman and gave her this chance and I'm happy. She gave me that opportunity to prove myself and I am grateful to Bisedge for believing in the ability of women. Since I have been working, there have been training in our shift even in-house training from the HR department. So, they are giving us an enabling environment to grow, which is a plus for any employee to make progress. So, you would want to go in and create that career path and grow in it so quickly.”
So, I'm excited coming to work because previously every morning when I wake up, I'm sad going to work, but I'm happy coming to work here. I'm excited going after my passion, Bisedge has given me an enabling environment to work, and they have positioned us in different branches of NBC and other organizations, and it has really been helpful.”
And it isn’t just Bukes who is excited about her work with Bisedge, her 7-year-old son also loves the fact that his mum handles electric forklift trucks! Bukes says: “So, my son is so excited because when I bring my safety tools home before I know it, he will immediately dress up in them. Then, he will say “Mommy, can't I go with you to your office?” So, he's happy seeing me when I show him pictures and videos I've made. He will be happy and be dancing, you know. He’s excited that his mother is a forklift operator.”
Bisedge are currently on Energise Africa with its third bond offer, investments in which will fund 5 carbon-cutting electric forklifts for major Nigerian companies, creating 20 new jobs for handlers, so other women like Bukes can enjoy secure employment and training. Visit their profile page to find out more.