By Our Correspondent
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consider reforms to strengthen the Nigerian Labour laws and salary structure to bear the imprint and aspirations of the Nigerian worker even as Congress also commend the President’s effort to trace and recover the nation’s stolen wealth to boost the nation’s economy.
The Chairman, Delta State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Williams Akporeha stated this recently in Warri, Delta State when he mobilized other Industrial Unions to join NUPENG to protest continuous anti-labour practices by Chevron Nigeria Limited.
According to Comrade Akporeha, “Beyond Mr President’s relentless effort in pursuing stolen funds round the globe, he should initiate a reformation process in the labour sector to provide a solid basis not only to institute best labour practices in the country but also secure acceptable remuneration structure for workers in both private and public sectors including government security agencies”, adding that “Congress believes that if we get the issue of poor remuneration right, it will go a long way to curb corruption and secure economic stability”.
He condemned a situation where oil multinationals would continue to take undue advantage of the unemployment situation in the country to subject Nigerians to perpetual slave labour, stating that “it is about time for government to take a critical look at our labour laws with a view to strengthen the weak areas so that defaulters can face justice”.
Comrade Akporeha noted sadly “that the five-year review set for the Nigerian minimum wage is no longer realistic due to rapid inflationary rate and obsolete labour policies. It is therefore envisaged that the government of President Mohammadu Buhari should not hesitate to consider an upward review of workers’ salaries to grow a motivated workforce in all sectors for the overall development of both human and capital resources for the country’s economy”.
Comrade Akporeha disclosed that motivation of the workforce builds confidence and the tendency to resist corruption in the work place. “A well paid worker is a motivated worker who will be able to pay his bills and more to save”. He therefore advised government to factor in salary review for workers as part of the war against corruption
