President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba has urged the Federal Government to direct its economic policies to lift millions of impoverished Nigerians out of poverty.
Wabba stated this at the 2019 NLC national leadership retreat, which kicked off in Enugu on Tuesday, with the theme, “Strategic leadership and new challenges in the future of work.”
The NLC president also asked the leadership of the country to reflect on the various trade agreements signed at global and continental levels, stressing that some of the trade deals leave Nigeria at the receiving end.
“We demand for fair trade. As others bring in their products, they should also be ready to allow Nigeria’s products in their countries,” said Wabba.
According to Wabba, quality leadership and governance must necessarily reflect on the development of the people, who are the greatest assets of any nation. This, he noted, entails the implementation of policies that are people-oriented.
Speaking on the future of work, the NLC leader said there was the need for workers to adapt to the ever changing world of work, by embracing emerging technologies and work tools, which underscores the retreat.
He said: Currently, Nigerian workers face daunting challenges which have been exacerbated by the rapidly evolving dynamism in the world of work. While we are confronted by the reality of expanding globalisation as manifest in the burgeoning information revolution, demographic shifts, climate change and technological innovation, we are still beset by the debris of the industrial era.
Advancements in internet connectivity, software applications and their carrier cum operating devices are getting more sophisticated. While we are yet to fully grasp opportunities offered by 4Gwireless technology, the rest of the world has made a quantum leap to 5G cellular technology. This is the future of work. Are we ready for this? Now is the time to engage tomorrow,” said Wabba.
Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who declared open the retreat, commended the NLC’s future-looking approach to work.
Ugwuanyi, who said his administration has worked and will continue to work harmoniously with labour, assured the NLC leadership of its readiness to give workers in the state a fair deal with regards to the N30,000 new national minimum wage and recently negotiated consequential adjustment of salaries for workers on grade level 07 to 17.
JOSHUA BASSEY
