The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have expressed their renewed commitment and readiness to joint efforts with the Nigerian masses and workers across the board to resist every government policy that tends to inflict pain and suffering on Nigerians.
NLC and TUC in a joint statement at the 2023 workers’ day celebration at the Eagle Square Abuja, reeled out numerous issues that are presently causing unbearable living conditions to Nigerian working people and the entire citizens at large, saying that the two labour centres and civil society organizations have forged a formidable force and are willing to work with the government in the project of a progressive and harmonious country and also to reject or hold government accountable as the case may be, using every legal means.
Contained in a message jointly presented by NLC and TUC Presidents, Comrade Joe Ajaero and Comrade Festus Osifo, respectively, the due harped on the importance of government ensuring that Nigerians enjoy the dividends of good governance instead of otherwise.
“It is important that we understand that no society can make progress by excluding its major stakeholders; the workers and masses from having an equitable share of the nation’s resources. If we are serious about increasing productivity and making progress as a nation then, we must seek ways of ensuring that the rights and privileges of workers are not only protected but that they are granted unfettered access to socioeconomic justice.
“We suggest deliberate actions by the government to expand and strengthen the nation’s existing Social Security framework. The Social Investment Programme (SIP) ought to be given legal backing by speeding up the legislative processes towards codifying it in our laws. This will deepen engagement in those areas and provide stronger backing to our quest for socioeconomic justice to all Nigerians.
“We also call on the federal government to begin the process of ratifying conventions 102 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on Social protection. This is central to the actualisation of Social justice and inclusiveness. It provides appropriate guarantees for workers rights to survival during and after work life and also guarantees access to decent life for many Nigerians.”
Furthermore, NLC and TUC Presidents made a case for worker’s rights and while government must fashion its policies on the growth of jobs and better living condition for workers and entire Nigerians in general.
“It is important that Nigerian leaders understand that without guaranteeing the rights of workers, without allowing workers to win, Nigerians and Nigeria will not win. We are Nigerians; when we win, our nation wins and makes sustainable progress. It is the duty of government to provide the right environment for this to happen.
“Our nation must lead with job-led growth. When jobs grow, income increases and the economy is revved higher but we need to protect those that work in these jobs. To protect them, we must ensure that the right legal environment is created and frameworks for compliance with laws are established.”
The two Labour Centres went on to demand that the government must; deepen engagements at the NLAC and expand the periodicity of meetings. Establish constant tripartite workplace audits have become inevitable. Encourage the registration of more unions to cover the unorganized sectors and speed up the trade dispute resolution mechanism.
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