NLC Advocates Workers Union’s Independence

The Nigeria Labour Con
gress (NLC) has advocated for an independent trade union for workers in the country.
The NLC National President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday shortly after the  commissioning of the National Union  of Food, Beverage and Tobacco new  Complex in Lagos.
Wabba said that it is only through independent  unions that workers welfare can better  be protected  and improved upon, stressing that the union and their  affiliates as the union for the working class can show the way and power of the workers if the  unions and officiates are  allowed to be independent.
He said that the union shall continue to protect the working  class despite various challenges  facing  the workers within  the present economic reality.
The NLC leader enjoined the Nigerian workers to remain resolute as the leadership of the congress is doing everything  possible for the present  administration to formulate economic policies that will revitalize the nation’s comatose economy for the  benefit of the masses.
The union statement also quoted the Minister of Labour and Employment,  Senator Chris Ngege, while speaking  at the occesion as saying that a union becomes strong  physically and financially  when  it is independent.
Ngege stressed that it is  workers’ rights to belong to a union of their choice  and employers cannot deny  the workers the right of their choice.
The minister said that the government  would ensure that organised labour  can organize  their  members without any threat or intimidation by protecting  the employers/employees relationship.
He stressed that employers are better off with independent unions and cautioned against manipulation and imposition of stooges as union officials and leaders by some employers to circumvent the organised force of the workers.

Philip Okparaji