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| NLC Protest For Increase in Wage |
Some leaders of labour unions in Abuja have criticized the emergence of a new central labour union in the country.
They described it “setback” to achieving the new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The labour leaders bared their minds in separate in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.
The labour leaders bared their minds in separate in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.
NAN recalls that a new central labour union, the United Labour Congress,
was recently formed in Lagos when no fewer than 25 industrial unions
elected Joe Ajaero as President of the ULC.
The ULC came into being after a two-year internal crisis that split the Nigeria Labour Congress into two opposing factions.
The ULC came into being after a two-year internal crisis that split the Nigeria Labour Congress into two opposing factions.
Sunday Alhassan, the President, Nigeria Union of Postal and
Telecommunication Employees, described the formation of ULC as a “very
sad story”. He described the action as “setback” to efforts being made by labour to
achieve the proposed new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
Alhassan said: “Government may take advantage of this split, by telling
the leaders of the two central unions that their house is not united. “This means that the process of achieving the new minimum wage will keep
dragging just because of the misgiving and anger of some labour leaders
on the outcome of the 2015 NLC election.
“If you look at it, it is about five to six years since the last
national minimum wage Act was reviewed; and it is due for another
review. “Till now we have not been able to come up with anything due to
disagreements and it is time for us to unite at this point in time for the common good of the movement and Nigerian workers.”
Alhassan warned that government would seize the opportunity of a divided
house in the labour movement to further oppress Nigerian workers. The NUPTE president stressed the need for unity in the labour movement
in order to speak with single voice for the benefit of the working
class.
In his submission, Bunmi Ogunkolade, the Senior Assistant
General-Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, warned that two or more
central labour unions would give the government the opportunity to
unduly delay payment of workers benefits. Ogunkolade added that it would also weaken the labour movement.
He appealed to the promoters of the ULC to have a rethink, adding that
workers and Nigerians would suffer from the split in the labour
movement. He said: “I want to appeal to our colleagues to do the best they can for
the sake of the movement by making moves to settle their differences.
“A divided labour movement will serve the purpose of the elites and the oppressors. “I plead with Ajaero and others; whatever their misgivings or ill feelings, please allow the issue to be settled.
“It is only with one voice that the labour movement will be strengthened to achieve its purpose.
“We should come together to fight a common goal; not to fight for positions and create more labour different centres in the country.”
“We should come together to fight a common goal; not to fight for positions and create more labour different centres in the country.”
Lateef Oyelekan, the President, National Union of Food, Beverage and
Tobacco Employees, warned that the decision to form another central
labour union would affect the way and manner government handle labour
issues.
Oyelekan said: “At this point in time, we do not need a divided house
because workers are already oppressed in one way or the other.“Their actions (the leaders of the two unions) will further bring
hardship to the Nigerian worker in terms of lack of payment of salaries,
the overdue new minimum wage among others.”
Oyelekan appealed to the promoters of the new movement to reconsider
their action, warning that it would have adverse effects on the unions,
workers and Nigerians in general.
He said: “How can you after putting much effort to build a house and you
now want to use your own hands to destroy it without concern for those
the roof will fall upon.
“Workers need one voice, one movement, to stand by them right now; not a divided house.”
“Workers need one voice, one movement, to stand by them right now; not a divided house.”
Contrary to the views expressed by his colleagues, Amechi Asugwuni, the
President, National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture
and Wood Workers, described the emergence of the new central union as a
“welcome development”.
Asugwuni said: “There is nothing wrong in having two, three or even four labour centres in the country.“They will all be fighting towards achieving one goal for workers and Nigerians in terms of more pressure on government.”
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