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NLC strategises against Labour Bill
NDIDI OKAFOR,
Abuja
A crucial meeting of
the highest decision-making organ of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), its
National Executive Council (NEC) has been scheduled for Monday to agree on
options to oppose the vexed Trade Unions Act (Amendment) Bill 2004 now before
the National Assembly.
In the Senate yesterday, deliberation
commenced on the bill, presented by President Olusegun Obasanjo and which he
said would democratise labour in keeping with the conventions of the
International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The bill passed through first reading
after having been introduced by Majority Leader, Senator Dalhatu Tafida.
Addressing newsmen at the end of an
emergency meeting of NLC’s second most powerful organ, the Central Working
Committee (CWC), NLC president, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole blasted the Federal
Government for the bill which he said was aimed at proscribing the Congress.
Oshiomhole described the efforts of
government to ensure the bill is passed in the National Assembly as part of
moves to silence the NLC and render it impotent in its fight to hold government
accountable to the people.
Recalling that the National Assembly had
once kicked out the initiative for the so-called anti-Labour Bill, Oshiomhole
implored the lawmakers to demonstrate solidarity with the majority of suffering
Nigerians by throwing out the controversial bill.
Giving an insight into contents of the
bill, the NLC president said it would outlaw strikes by some trade unions as
well as the holding of rallies and wondered where the young democracy was
heading in such atmosphere.
According to him, it was regrettable that
such provisions were being proposed in a democracy where protection of citizens’
rights should be prime in government’s schedule.
On the high cost of fuel, Oshiomhole said
"the government cannot be allowed to impose the international market fuel price
of $45 - $50 on the Nigerian masses."
Oshiomhole reminede President Olusegun
Obasanjo of a warning by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that an inflation
rate of over 20 per cent in Nigeria would discourage the much-needed foreign
investment, noting that the present high fuel price was one such.
NLC, he said, is not regretting its stance
on the fuel price hike, adding that Laour cannot be detered by the recent
clampdown on its officials by the State Security Services (SSS) which is still
holding two officials in Abuja.
Oshiomhole urged President Obasanjo to
learn from history since he had been a victim of dictatorship and prayed that
God should touch him not to go to war with labour.
On the downsizing in the federal civil
service, the NLC leader blasted government for alleged double talk, saying while
it pronounced intention to create seven million jobs through the National
Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), the same government had
gone ahead to prune the service and thrown people into the employment market.
All the presidents and general secretaries
of NLC’s 29 affiliate unions attended the CWC meeting at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.
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