Labour Movement Threatens To Shut Critical Sectors Over Workers’ Welfare
United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC) has threatened to shut down all sectors of the economy if government fails to give priority attention to the welfare of Nigerian workers.
The unions, in a communiqué issued at the end of the Central Working Committee held at NUPENG office, Yaba, gave the government two weeks to pay minimum wage and salaries owed by some states.
According to the President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, Federal Government better not dare ULC because they have power to shut down airports, banks, shops, rail and oil and gas from working.
“We might not block the road but the impact will be felt when the industrial action starts.
“The CWC-in-session, after exhaustive and critical analysis, are worried that Nigerian workers and masses have become increasingly abandoned to their fate by an unconscionable ruling elite occupied with the battle for filthy lucre and the pursuit of crass political power which they intend to use to further the exploitation and humiliation of the Nigerian people.
“The union also observed with deep angst that despite collecting huge bail-out funds from the federal Government and the Paris club debt refund, many state Governors have refused to pay workers’ salaries.
“We view this as fraudulent. You cannot use the name of Nigerian workers to collect money and then divert it to other uses that is obtained by tricks and is still punishable under code 419 of the law of the federation”, it said.
“The CWC -in- session therefore calls for the immediate payment of all the arrears of salaries owed Nigerian workers at all levels without exception.
Part of the ULC resolutions is that government should honour its 2009 agreement with University Lecturers under the umbrella of ASUU to re-open universities.
” That the proposed Bill at the National Assembly seeking to control free speech is couched under the guise of Bill against hate speech but has the real intention of protecting the ruling elite from being held accountable by the citizenry. We therefore demand the discontinuance of that obnoxious Bill.
“That the withholding of registration certificate of the ULC be stopped and the certificate released forthwith so that the nation’s Industrial Relations clime will be made more inclusive and robust.
“The immediate inclusion of all representatives of labour in the various committees, Agencies and Directorates of Government and not singling out just one centre for these purposes, negating the tenets of the nation’s Laws. We demand an immediate reversal of any of such appointments that have been done contrary to this.
“The immediate inauguration of the national minimum wage committee in line with the above so that it can commence sitting.
