No Going Back on Labour Reforms - Minister
By Chris Nwachuku
The Federal Government said yesterday that the on going economic and labour reforms would be carried out to its logical conclusion and urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to make sacrifices.
Addressing an educational programme for senior unionists in the textile industry yesterday in Kaduna, the Labour Minister, Dr Hassan Lawal, said that there was no going back in the on going reforms and requested Labour to appreciate government interest and committment to rebuilding the country. He noted that although the impact on Labour could be massive, the NLC needs to make sacrifices in the interest of the future of Nigeria.
"Government is resolved to pursue this stretegy to its logical end for the purpose of growth, vibrancy and development of our national economy. Government policies, no doubt, have their immediate implications for Labour, as it is the single most important stakeholders. However these policies equally stand to benfit Nigerians," Lawal said.
He urged the workers to pursue peaceful and harmonious industrial relations. "It also calls for the strenghtening of the process of social dialogue among the social partners. It is only then that our dream of growth and development will be realised"
He reminded Labour that the current reforms were intended to correct past mistakes which had over the years disregarded the reality and needs of Nigerian people.. He noted that the mistakes also isolated Nigeria and closed the doors of investment opportunities. The reforms are therefore meant to stretegically reposition the country in a dynamic and competitive global economic environment.
Labour, however, urged the Kaduna State governor, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, to intervene on workers' behalf.
The General Secretary of textile union and member of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu, said Labour's resolve to seek Makarfi's intervention was informed by his pro-workers credential which he had exploited to enhance service delivery and harmonious relationship in the work environment.
"We are aware of your pro-Labour tendencies. Your appointemt of Labour leaders to some strategic positions, has ensured that your over five years in office, there had been no single strike over wages. We appeal to you to intervene in the current Labour bill. Tell Abuja that Labour is desirable and progressive, let them know how you manage it. Nigeria needs the Labour movement. It is not Labour bill. We want employment bill, educational bill and better service delivery," Aremu said.
Aremu said that Nigeria was in dire need of a constructive organisation like NLC, noting that any attempt to weaken it would not only be injurious to the country, but will affect the democratic project. He said Nigeria's problems has nothing to with labour, but some of those policies which kill job, weaken naira, enhance cost of living among others.
He commended Makarfi for his quick intervention in the crises that engulfed Finetex and Nortex textile mills as well as initiating the process of rebuilding the Kaduna Textile Limited through the mobilisation of the governors of the 19 northern states to recapitalise the organisation.
Markafi, however, disclosed that much of the credit for the progress made by his administration resulted from the activities of Labour and urged the body to sustain the role it had been playing in the development of Nigeria.
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