NLC’s NEC Warns Against Workers’ Retrenchment

The Nigeria Labour Con
gress (NLC) National Executive Council (NEC), has warned against any retrenchment by the government following the present economic reality faced by the country.
In a communiqué issued by the congress after its NEC meeting held in Lagos recently, state governors and private sector employers are urged to toe the path of honour and not retrench workers.
The NLC communiqué enjoined the 36 States Governors to do all that is necessary to pay workers salaries and pension regularly as non-payment of salaries, pension and gratuities will be catastrophic not just for workers and their families but the entire economy.
The congress reiterated that the naira has collapsed against the major international currencies, stressing that Nigeria as an import dependent nation, the implication for the ordinary Nigeria are enormous, the cost of living risen, purchasing power dropped and jobs being lost.
“Congress observed that in most states, salaries and pensions are not being paid regularly in spite of the well thought out bail-out fund programme by the Federal Government. This has thrown workers and their families into great hardship and embarrassment.”
“Congress noted that as a response to this economic downturn, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and new- Liberal Economists are putting pressure on the government to further devalue the Naira as well as raise the Value Added Tax (VAT). Governors and some private sector employers on their part are considering mass retrenchment with Imo State leading the negative way.
“Congress further noted that neither non-payment of salaries nor mass retrenchment is an acceptable option in the circumstances,  stressing that at difficult moment like this, inflationary meansures should be adopted to empower workers and stimulate the economy.
“Congress resolved that any State Governor who violates the sacred duty of regular payment of salaries, gratuities  and pensions will incur the wrath of workers”.
“Congress also resolve to mobilize to any state that retrenches workers because workers should not be made the scape goats of the downturn in the economy”.
The NLC  NEC urged government to take measures that will stimulate production, develop infrastructure and boost aggregate demand and further take urgent steps to diversify  the economy with emphasis on agriculture, solid mineral and manufactu ring.