We’ll never succumb to intimidation in protecting workers’ welfare, NLC vows

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, again vowed not to succumb to any argument or intimidation from any quarter in fighting and protecting the interest of workers nationwide.

NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba made this disclosure while receiving members of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) led by their National President, Comrade Kabir Garba Tsanni, who were on a courtesy visit to Labour House in Abuja.

According to Wabba, workers are confronted with all economic challenges yet the gap between politicians and civil servants continue to be widened despite the fact that they go to the same market. We, therefore, need to be working assiduously to try to argue and defend the interest of workers. A worker who creates wealth in every society is worthy of decent stage.

NLC boss, who further vowed that the union would continue to protect the interest and right of all workers, therefore, advised members of Rattawu to approach the issue of fake news in the society which has undermined the nation’s development, as well as security and peaceful co-existence among the citizens of Nigeria.

He urged them to always preach peace, adding that there must be peace before development because it is the bedrock of every development in the country.

“I feel elated because Rattawu has continued to grow from strength to strength and this should be the role mark of trade union movement not only in Nigeria but across the world. We must not take that for granted. Rattawu occupies a special place in the scheme of things because of the fact that your members play a very important and centre role in dissemination and correct information to the public.

“We will continue to blow our triumphant because if you don’t blow it nobody will blow it for you. And as a union marking this 40th anniversary, it is commendable because you are among the first set of the unions who actually formed this NLC.

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“We will continue to stand firm by you to defend the interest and welfare of the members of the union wherever they are because to us the welfare of members must continue to be our priority because no system, no employer, no government will willingness on a platter of gold offers goodies to workers just because they like our face.

“For that immemorial, it has been through contestation and this will continue. We try to negotiate and bargain very hard for our members but at the end of the day, we got very little for our members. We will not actually succumb to any argument or any intimidation that will present the workers as people that liabilities.” He declared.

Earlier, the National President of Rattawu, Comrade Garba said the union had renewed its commitment to the partnership with the NLC and it shall continue to be a worthy ally in fighting for the rights and liberties of the working class in Nigeria.

Comrade Garba, who officially intimated the NLC President about the forthcoming 40th anniversary of the union, said: “we are living in times that the only way for us to build a formidable trade movement that will drive the desired in the body polity is for us to have a united front that has shared vision and commitment.

“This is the sure way that will guarantee our relevance and trust from the public. Therefore, on this day of our 40th anniversary as a union, I call on all unions to realize this and to work in harmony with Congress to assure a better tomorrow for the working class.

“The Nigeria state, no matter well-intentioned, cannot deliver because it is surrounded by agents that are not willing to do the needful in order to better the lot of the common man. The o, us therefore, is on the Congress to continue to press home the needs of the working class,” He urged.