Major role of NLC, other trade unions is workers’ Welfare —Wabba

The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, has declared that the major role of the congress and the trade unions is, primarily, the welfare of their members and must always join a struggle that will bring benefit directly to the workers.

Wabba made this known even as he extolled the virtue and paid tribute to the late National President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, saying that his achievements should be documented that such a person was able to make a mark while he was leading a very important organization.

The NLC president spoke when he led the leadership of congress on a condolence visit to the leadership of NULGE at the association’s headquarters in Abuja.

He said: “This is just a lesson that all of us need to draw from this very sad event and sad incident. All of you must take heart. The salary must continue, the struggle also continues. The Struggle cannot end. In the best of the economies, there is struggle and in the words of economists, there is also struggle.

“So, human survival is about struggle. The struggle to survive in the midst of conflicting challenges, in the midst of demands, in the midst of different  interests. We must continue to struggle to represent the interests of our members.

“That has been part and parcel of our responsibilities as a union, and that is why in each struggle, we try to look at what can benefit workers because any struggle without direct benefits to the workers is nothing. It is not just to join a struggle that will not bring any benefit directly to the workers.”

He added: “We are an organisation that is membership based. Membership based means people pay check off dues because they want services and services means they must have food on their table.

“We must be able to secure a collective bargaining agreement for them. We must be able to ensure social security cover, we must be able to ensure that every worker is paid, especially based on the required minimum wage. Those are the basic things Trade unions are formed for and also for social justice within the society and within our country.

“Those are the core issues; and without all of these, there is no need to form a union. If a worker will not benefit, he will ask you, why do I need to join the union. First and foremost is what he will benefit as a worker, then possibly as a citizen.

“Therefore, this should continue to judge our  engagements, so we don’t lose track. We are a membership based organisation, therefore we must service our members.”

He pointed out that workers are struggling to join unions and insisting to belong to unions “because they realise that when they join the union, their welfare is secured, their interests will be protected and they have a say because it is a democratic organization where workers will also have a say.”

On the sudden death of their National President, who was also the Treasurer of NLC, Wabba said: “I convey to you our deepest condolence to the leadership of NULGE and I urged you on the strength of incidence that has happened, let us build a strong union, let us emerge, and let us shame those who want NULGE to be destroyed.”

He commended the leadership, saying “we will continue to guide you,” and assured that the NLC would continue to give their issues priority.

On the NULGE crisis, Wabba assured that the right thing would be done, “without necessarily taking away that there are issues and those issues can be resolved on the negotiation table.”

He said: “We should discourage all those who are trying to destroy NULGE. There could be grievances but grievances are better resolved on the table. We will see how to navigate the issue and resolve it. Under the labour laws, there are very clear provisions on how those disputes could be resolved.”

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

ICYMI: Presidential Panel On Police Reforms Agrees To Meet All Demands By #EndSARS Protesters

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has convened a meeting with stakeholders and has agreed to meet all demands raised by the #EndSARS protesters, which include halting use of force against protesters and unconditional release of arrested citizens.

ICYMI: Lagos To Compensate Victims Of #EndSARS Protest With N200m ― Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the state government has earmarked N200million as compensation for families of victims of #EndSars protest.

ICYMI: I Was A Victim Of SARS Brutality Twice, Oyo Deputy Gov Tells Protesters

Oyo State deputy governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan revealed that members of the Nigerian Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have attacked him twice.

ICYMI: #EndSARS: Protesters Block Oyo Secretariat Main Gates (SEE VIDEO)

#ENDSARS protesters, on Tuesday, blocked the main gates leading to Oyo State government secretariat, demanding the total end to Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), saying no reformation of the disbanded police units should be carried in the Nigeria Police Force.

ICYMI: Buhari Nominates Lauretta Onochie, Three Others As INEC Commissioners

President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated his Special Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie and three others as National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).