Ahead of the presidential/national assembly and other elections slated for Saturday, February 16 and March 2, 2019, the organised labour has urged the Federal Government and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the polls are not only transparent but seen to be free and fair.
Labour under the aegis of Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, as part of the communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council Meeting (NEC) which held in Lagos, on Tuesday, also called on the government to avoid all forms of intimidation or harassment in the conduct of the election.
According to the TUC in the communiqué signed by its president, Bobboi Kagaima and secretary general, Musa Lawal, called on the INEC in particular to be as impartial as possible and to ensure that the interest of all Nigerians are protected. It also called on the police, the military and other security agents to be professional in the discharge of their duties “since no position is worth the blood of innocent civilians.”
“We call on the INEC to be as impartial as possible, having the interest of all Nigerians at heart. We also call on the police, the military and other security agents to be professional in discharging their duties since no position is worth the blood of innocent civilians.”
On the national minimum wage, the NEC in-session commended the House of Representatives for approving and passing N30,000 as against the N27,000 approved by the National Council of State and sent to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buahri. It called on the Senate to toe the path of the House of Representatives, without further delay.
On the representation of TUC in tripartite bodies, “the NEC-in-session reiterated that the law establishing National Law Advisory Council (NLAC) should be reviewed to include major stakeholders, e.g TUC.
The NEC-in-session warns that TUC will no longer tolerate the violation of the trade union rights of its members to representation, collective bargaining and be consulted on labour matters in the country.”
On insecurity in the country, the TUC called on Federal Government to intensify efforts to make sure that killings; kidnapping and insurgency in the country are totally wiped out and save the country from total collapse.
It condemned the recent hike in the cost of international passport and driver’s license. The labour therefore called on the Federal Government to maintain the status quo and formulate policies that will be more beneficial to the masses.
On anti-corruption, the TUC commended the Federal Government for the fight against corruption in the country but advised the government to respect the rule of law when doing so.
JOSHUA BASSEY
