Unions demand decent work condition for workers
Seven unions at the weekend demanded decent working condition for their workers in the country as they mark global industriALL World Decent Day in Lagos. The unions made up of National Association of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), National Union of […]
Seven unions at the weekend demanded decent working condition for their workers in the country as they mark global industriALL World Decent Day in Lagos.
The unions made up of National Association of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), SEWUN,CANMPSSA and NUCAMPE demanded among others, respect for workers’ right to freedom of association, right for collective bargaining, respect for employment laws, prompt payment of pension and social protection, end of casual contract and outsourcing of employment as well as provision of social security and conducive environment.
The workers numbering in hundreds had matched through popular Ikorodu road from PENGANSSAN office to Maryland singing solidarity songs to commemorate the day.
Speaking prior the match, NUEE General Secretary, Joe Ajaero, said since privatisation of the nation’s power sector on November 1, 2013, the union has resolved to enthrone a regime of decent work for its members adding that the anti labour policies introduced by the new companies operating in the sector, had led to volatility industrial relations climate in the sector.
“Unfortunately, the first action taken by the companies was the disengagement of more than 50 per cent of our members in the first week of their take over as private operators setting the stage for intense labour struggle. In their electricity distribution companies forum, they vowed to do away with trade unionism and labour organisation in the industry. This obnoxious idea was not peculiar to the discos as the power generation companies also up keyed in and they all entered into satanic alliance to kill and bring labour movement and the concept of freedom of association in the power sector to and end”, he said
Ajaero who is also the President of Nigerian Labour Congress said the union saw these as an attack on decent work and gradual enthronement of slave labour in the industry.
He said as part of efforts to enthrone decency at work, NUEE has commenced picketing of the power plants with Mainstream Power station at Shiroro Plc to ensure that the laws of the land are obeyed and dignity of labour is restored.
Also, the General Secretary of National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade Issa Aremu who is the executive member of IndustriALL Global Union and President, IndustriALL Global Union, African Region said Nigerian workers deserved decent work condition while obnoxious policies hindering freedom of workers must be abolished.