Delta State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to review labour laws so as to institute best labour practices and also secure acceptable remuneration structure for workers in the country.
In a statement signed by the factional chairman of NLC in the state, the labour group condemned multinationals for using unemployment as a guise to engage in use of slave labour.
The statement read “Beyond Mr President’s relentless effort in pursuing stolen funds around the globe, he should initiate a reform 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. 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.
“We condemn a situation where oil multinationals continue to take undue advantage of the unemployment situation in the country to subject Nigerians to perpetual slave labour. 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.
“The five-year review set for the Nigeria minimum wage is no longer realistic due to rapid inflationary rate and obsolete labour policies. It is therefore envisaged that the government of President 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.”
Meanwhile he National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE has warned banks not to use the Federal Government new Treasury Single Account, TSA, policy as an opportunity to retrench workers.
NUBIFIE’s President and Deputy General Secretary, Danjuma Musa and Etim Okon advised banks to strategize and devise urgent means of staying afloat.