The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, says the recent attack on its leaders will not deter it from getting a better bargain for its members.
On November 1, NLC President Joe Ajaero was physically attacked in Imo state. The union blamed the state government for the attack.
The Governor Hope Uzodinma administration has denied complicity, even though the issue has now been resolved after the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu said those involved in the act had been arrested.
Ajaero who spoke on Monday in Abuja, at the opening session of the NLC 2023 Harmattan School with the theme: “Building Workers’ Skills for Policy Engagement”, said the union will not be cowed in the face of adversity.
He was represented at the occasion by the Deputy President, Benjamin Anthony,
The NLC president spoke as the union is bracing up to negotiate the new minimum wage with the federal government.
He said last month that the union would demand N100,000 as a minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
Speaking yesterday the NLC leader said it is determined to achieve a better living wage and better living conditions for Nigerian workers, stressing that the removal of fuel subsidy has worsened the economic conditions of many Nigerians.
He said, “In the face of adversity and brutality encountered while advocating for the rights of workers to earn their legitimate income and benefits, our resolve remains unwavering.
“We are motivated to continue our efforts towards achieving decent work and improving working conditions in the formal and informal sectors of the economy.
“The recent assault on workers and their leaders in Imo State poses a grave threat to freedom of association and collective bargaining as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the ILO Conventions 87 and 98 on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining, and should unequivocally be condemned by all people of goodwill.
“The only thing that can assuage our pains is for the Imo State Government to address all labour issues and return the so-called ‘ghost workers’ to their jobs, pay all outstanding salaries and pensions and call back all victimised workers to their jobs.
“It has become very necessary for governments at all levels to recognise that life and living conditions are exceedingly difficult, especially for working people in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy.
“The removal of subsidy on petroleum products has further exacerbated the challenges faced by working people, unleashing severe pain and contributing to galloping inflation and increasing inequality and poverty.
“We must reckon that a well-motivated and well-remunerated workforce has a positive impact on productivity and national development.”
