Osifo Re-elected as TUC President: International Update
... Stresses That The Government Needs To Increase Its Initiatives Against Insecurity, Unemployment, And Other Issues
... Difficult Times Persist in Nigeria – ILO
ABUJA – At the weekend, the National Administrative Council of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) confirmed the nomination/election of their President, Festus Osifo, for another term in office.
This is just as the President, Bola Tinubu, counseled affiliate unions of both the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress to always prioritize transparency in the election of their leaders.
Osifo and other 18 members of the executive were returned to the office unopposed Friday evening in Abuja during their inaugural quadrennial National Delegate Conference.
Earlier, before the elections started, Osifo expressed concern that the ongoing economic challenges in the nation have severely impacted Nigerian workers.
Osifo spoke on the theme of the conference: “The Future of Work- Ensuring Fair Labour Practices and Economic Justice in a Digital Era”.
The labour leader explained that Nigerian workers’ challenges were compounded by the devaluation of Naira done by the President Tinubu-led administration.
Regarding the murders in Plateau, Benue, and other locations, he stated that the food scarcity in the nation will keep escalating if the instances of insecurity continue to increase.
According to him, insecurity has been making it impossible for farmers to gain access to their respective farmlands, adding that unemployment was also fueling the insecurity crisis that was throwing the country into chaos.
One of the factors driving up food prices currently is indeed due to the instability we're experiencing in locations such as Plateau, Benue, and Borno; the list goes on.
Everyone aims to protect their lives because venturing into farming endangers them. The central region encompassing Plateau and Benue states essentially serves as the nation’s breadbasket, which significantly impacts us.
"We urge the government to take firm actions to address the prevailing insecurity in Nigeria, as ensuring safety is their main duty," stated the labor leader.
He also expressed concerns over the increasing number of out-of-school children in the country, urging the government across all levels to prioritise education by building better individuals.
We have many unemployed Nigerian youth among us; essentially, we're fueling the insecurity situation. What this implies is that without employment, individuals might resort to alternative methods.
We urge the government; let's explore how we can gather around a round table to devise strategies and systems that ensure adequate employment for our nation. This way, both capable men and women who wish to work will find suitable jobs.
We urge the federal, state, and local governments to collaborate urgently in tackling the problem of out-of-school children.
We can't have a nation with anywhere from 20 million to 40 million children who aren't attending school. We believe this is unacceptable, and we think it's wrong.
The state government needs to awaken since education falls under concurrent risks. It is not solely within the exclusive domain of the federal government.
They need to come together to devise plans addressing this issue since uneducated children often lead to child labor, which is something both the ILO and trade unions worldwide have been combating.
In the meantime, Vanessa Phala, the Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Ghana, praised the TUC while urging the labor center to prepare for more challenging times ahead.
She stated, "We acknowledge all your efforts aimed at improving the lives of workers in Nigeria. We understand that this journey hasn't been simple, and due to the challenges our President has outlined for us, it will likely become even more difficult."
“But I want to assure you of the ILO’s support in this journey, that we remain committed to working with you in this journey, to supporting you in whatever ways we can.
We've introduced multiple measures collectively. In certain accomplishments that you achieved with the TUC, we have lagged behind at times, but I'm delighted that we managed to secure a revised minimum wage through negotiation.
I’d also like to urge you not to give up and cease your struggle because we understand that the issue isn’t about setting a minimum wage, but rather ensuring its proper enforcement.
I truly hope that you will collaborate with the appropriate authorities to ensure every Nigerian employee receives at least the legally mandated minimum wage.
The representative from the ILO encouraged Nigeria’s government and labor organizations to consistently engage in social dialogues when addressing issues, despite the challenges posed by disagreements among the various stakeholders involved.
President Bola Tinubu urged delegates from unions associated with both labor centers to adopt honesty and openness during the election of new leadership, emphasizing that these leaders should advocate for the welfare of workers.
He further stated that his administration would stay dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Nigerian workers and promoting equitable labor practices despite the increasing economic challenges facing the nation.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, emphasized the importance of prioritizing equitable labor practices, reinforcing labor laws, investing in skill enhancement, and promoting economic justice.
Your insistence on improved economic circumstances after the elimination of the floor subsidy in 2023 and your proactive involvement in talks with the government ultimately led to the establishment of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, highlighting your significant contributions.
You play a crucial role in our endeavor to establish a Nigeria where each citizen can reach their fullest potential. Despite having the capability to revolutionize sectors, generate fresh opportunities, and boost economic progress, technology also carries the risk of reducing employment through automation and exacerbating social disparities.
It is thus our political duty to capitalize on the advantages of digital progress while steering the fundamentals of fairness, equality, and justice.
"I encourage you to choose leaders who possess vision, accountability, and innovation—people who will advocate for workers' rights as we navigate an increasingly dynamic landscape of employment," stated the President.
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