LABOUR UNITY
The National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) hereby calls on all labour unions affiliated to Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to learn from the recent developments following the prohibitive increase in the price of fuel to get united for a vibrant labour movement rather than undermining each other. If we operate separately, we will be defeated separately. But if we operate in unity, we will triumph as one. The recent 70 per cent fuel increase is indiscriminate in its impact on transport cost and cost of living in general. The response of organized labour must therefore be inclusive and uniform, not disjointed as we recently witnessed.
The worsening poverty, rising inflation, job losses and bad governance must task our imaginations as labour leaders to work as one instead of seeking positions for recognitions from governments and employers that do not deliver tangible results for the working men and women.
COMMEND MINISTER OF LABOUR
It is commendable and reassuring that Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, says government had no intention of factionilizing the labour movement. Therefore we call on the Minister of labour and the Secretary to the government of the Federation to initiate another round of all inclusive engagement with NLC and TUC on the recent fuel price increase.
UNITED LABOUR BETTER FOR ALL
Nigeria and indeed this administration is better off with inherited united NLC if it must win the fight against corruption, diversify the economy and enthrone social and physical security. The challenge is for all industrial unions affiliated to NLC and TUC to work as comrades and not as class enemies for the interest of the working men and women. We regret that as we point two accusing fingers at bad governance and bad employers, the remaining three fingers point at us too who are unacceptably divided against ourselves rather than united against common class enemy.
Its time we closed ranks to ensure we have a labour movement that “commands the confidence of workers, be trusted by the public, respected by the government and employers.”
To this extent our union calls on NLC leaders at all levels to immediately implement the report of the NLC Reconciliation Committee under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu aimed at resolving the avoidable crisis arising from 11th Delegates Conference last year.
Textile Union is not happy that NLC could not have a common collective actions on the fuel price increase just as we could not organize a joint May Day inspite of the joint resolutions of all the parties to put the past behind. We commend Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, Comrades Ayuba Wabba and Joe Ajaero for the signed resolutions. It is however time we all implemented these resolutions with sincerity of purpose and avoid the recent divisions in the ongoing struggle over the fuel price increase.
The resolution of the problems confronting Nigerian workers and people should be given top priority by the NLC and its leaders, among others.
We need a united NLC to fight the issue of unpaid salaries, the struggle for improved minimum wage, the war against corruption, revival of industries and creation of mass decent employment among others. If we operate separately, we will be defeated separately but if we are united we shall overcome. We must stop “comrades-on comrades” quarrels.
Issa Aremu, mni
GENERAL SECRETARY
&
CHAIRPERSON, IndustriALL Global Union Sub Sahara Africa
