PENGASSAN Seeks Labour, Employers Collaboration

The Petroleum and
Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has called for a collaborative effort between organised labour and employers in the country.
Speaking to The Tide in Port Harcourt yesterday shortly on arrival from Lagos, Chairman Trade Union Congress (TUC), Rivers State council, Comrade Chika Onuegbu said the workers unions were at the mercy of the employers.
Onuegbu said that the Nigeria Labour Laws had largely protected the interests of the employers than the workers, stressing that the laws were designed to facilitate the commercial and economic objectives and interests of the employers.
He said nothing had changed after 54 years of independence with the Nigeria Labour Laws that have entrenched the attitude of the colonial system towards labour and industrial relations of the workers being subservient to the masters.
The TUC boss appealed for the review of the Nigerian Labour Laws by the National Assembly to ensure standard with current reality and international best practice, adding that many of the laws are outdated.
Onuegbu also appealed to the Federal Government to ratify the International Labour Organisations Convention that was yet to be ratified.
He urged the government to particularly ratify ILO Convention 158 concerning termination of employment at the initiative of the employer which came into force on 3rd November, 1985.

Philip Okparaji