Angered by the recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa, the organised labour in Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to adopt stringent diplomatic measures in the talks with the South African government to put an end to the assault.
In separate statements issued on Wednesday, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), not only condemned the killing and harassment of Nigerians by South Africans, including their police, but also insisted that the South African government be held responsible for allowing the attacks to fester.
The statements signed by Quadri Olaleye, president of the TUC, and Ayuba Wabba, president of the NLC, the unions regretted the failure of the South African government to recognise the sacrifices Nigeria and Nigerians had to pay to end the suppressive apartheid policy in that country.
“The nonchalant attitude displayed by the leadership and people of South Africa suggests that they have forgotten the sacrifice Nigeria and other African countries made to achieve their freedom from apartheid.
It is high time the Nigerian government adopted stringent diplomatic measures. And we also urge other African countries to follow suit. As union, it is our belief that the South African government is guilty of the dastardly act by association,” Olaleye said.
Similarly, Wabba, from the NLC, described the attacks and killings as beastly and unacceptable.
According to the NLC, the frequency and escalation of these attacks are capable of undermining the illustrious bilateral relations between the government and people of Nigeria and government and people of South Africa.
“We hold the South African government responsible for failing in its duty to protect or safeguard the lives and properties of foreign nationals, especially Nigerians who have been subject of attacks over time.
Accordingly, we demand an immediate end to these killings and destruction of properties. We demand for appropriate compensation and an assurance that this will never happen again not only to Nigerians but all foreign nationals in South Africa,” said the NLC.
The union, however, advised against crude retaliatory measures such as the burning down of perceived South African businesses in Nigeria as Nigerians stand to equally lose in the process.
JOSHUA BASSEY
