Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara,
has said the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has lived up to expectation in
discharging its role of protecting the interests and welfare of the Nigerian
worker.
Hon Dogara also saluted former leaders of labour for their
leadership and sacrifices that ensured the continued existence of one united
and robust labour organisation in Nigeria.
He also assured that the House of Representatives will
support ongoing effort to secure not only a living wage for the Nigerian worker
but to ensure that in retirement workers are sufficiently taken care of.
In a statement to commemorate the 40TH anniversary of the
founding of the NLC, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs,
Turaki Hassan, the Speaker noted the brave and courageous moves taken by the
congress when necessary to ensure that better rights and privileges are
conveyed on the Nigerian worker.
He said, “Indeed, the NLC has come of age. It has played a
pivotal role in the struggle for better rights and privileges for the Nigerian
worker. The NLC since its founding by a military Decree has lived up to its
responsibilities of articulating and pursing the enlightened interests of the
working man and woman. It has sometimes confronted the authorities by using the
mechanism of strikes and in some instances the mere threat of action has enough
to bring relevant authorities to the negotiating table.
“We must use this occasion to salute the former leaders of
Labour for their leadership and sacrifices that ensured the continued existence
of one united and robust labour organisation in Nigeria. The present leadership
must ensure that this legacy bequeathed to them is maintained and even
surpassed.”
The Speaker further said the NLC must remain strong, united
and progressive, stressing, “It must work in concert with both government and
the private sector to enthrone a viable and strong economy for Nigeria, which
is the only sustainable way to ensure better working conditions for the
Nigerian worker.”
According to him, the major challenge facing Labour today is
to negotiate a meaningful National Minimum Wage for Nigerian workers.
He therefore, pledged the support of the House of
Representatives to the ongoing effort to secure not only a living wage for the
Nigerian worker but to ensure that in retirement, workers are sufficiently
taken care of, so that the labour of our heroes past shall truly never be in
vain.
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