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By Bimbola Oyesola, [email protected]
Workers in the chemical sector have charged the Federal Government to come up with appropriate policies that will ameliorate the sufferings and hardships Nigerians are presently going through.
The workers under the umbrella of the National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE), urged the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration to speed up policies that will alleviate the pains of the removal of subsidy on petrol.
They noted that Nigerians, especially workers, are going through a harrowing experience.
Specifically, the union urged the Federal Government to create local policies that would improve the economy and life of citizens.
President of the union, Goke Babatunde, speaking during the union’s opening 31st Annual Industrial Relations Seminar in Ado Ekiti, pleaded with the government to hasten up and come up with policies to lessen the suffering of Nigerians, especially workers.
Reflecting on the theme of the seminar, “Social dialogue as a vehicle for promoting decent work and industrial harmony”, he said it is time to revive local refineries, build infrastructure such as road networks and electricity supply, as well as develop the iron and steel sector, which is key to economic growth.
“Insecurity should be tackled, multiple taxation, rent and charges should be regulated to allow manufacturing companies survive and promote Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in Nigeria,” he said.
He lamented that the manufacturers found it difficult to operate at optimal capacity due to lack of power supply.
The NUCFRLANMPE leader also called on the management of companies in Nigeria to enforce decent work agenda for employees to increase productivity and grow the economy.
He pointed out that decent work agenda had remained a continuous campaign for the International Labour Organisation (ILO) since 1999, because it promotes the rights of workers, social protection and social dialogue.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero said that building the capacity of workers through training would help contribute to the development of the nation.
Ajaero, represented by the state NLC Chairman, Mr Kolapo Olatunde, said that workers would not be able to face those he described as, ‘forces of retrogression’, without requisite capacity.
He described NUCFRLANMPE as a giant within the trade union family and commended the leadership for organising the seminar for members.
The NLC President expressed that the theme of the seminar was essential as employers needed to create equitable working conditions for workers.
While commending the leadership of NUCFRLANMPE for ensuring that members had good welfare package, he emphasised that this is important because NUCFRLANMPE’s members are mostly affected in workplace abuse of right and privileges.
”The rate of occupational accident and exposure to hazards occurs more in the chemical and footwear companies.
”I have seen amputation of various kinds, mangling of body parts and gruesome deaths that reminds us of the Ikorodu disaster in Lagos,” he said.
Ajaero said that decent work should be accompanied with fair wages, safe environment, equal opportunities and the recognition of human rights at every level of the workforce.
He said, “Let this seminar be a beacon of inspiration, a testament to our unwavering dedication to creating a world where every worker’s right are respected.
“We must protect workers in our sector, we must organise better, we must reduce the prevalence of accident in our workplace.”
In his keynote address, Mr Femi Oke, Executive Secretary, Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Employers Federation (CANMPEF) said that social dialogue was key for economic and social cohesion as well as good governance.
Oke advised the State and Federal Governments to improve on the practice of social dialogue to reduce incessant unrest and improve workers’ productivity.
Also, Mrs Grace Adeyeye, Ekiti Controller of Labour and Employment, expressed hope that the seminar would empower the talent of participants and transform their abilities with knowledge of ILO goals for decent work.
She stated that the way to transform a society depends on the productive thinking and viable action of stakeholders at all levels of operation.
