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From Bimbola Oyesola
Workers in the welding sector of the economy have lamented the segregation and hardship they are facing in securing job opportunities in the country despite their qualifications and experience.
The National Union of Nigeria Welders (NUNIWE) said expatriates are increasingly taking over the jobs of members across the country, worsening the employment crisis in the country.
The union is concerned that, if not checked, more Nigerians may be thrown into the unemployment market.
The union called on the Federal Government to urgently look into the matter.
Speaking during the presentation of the union’s certification registration in Lagos, the national president of NUNIWE, Peter Iniobong, said millions of skilled professionals in the welding sector are facing unprecedented challenges due to the influx of expatriates from China, India, Indonesia and Turkey who are taking over jobs meant for Nigerians, in violation of existing employment quota rules.
“We are not opposed to expatriates working in Nigeria, as we see them as our global colleagues, but we need to work together in solidarity to defeat the divide-and-rule tactics of the capitalists who seek only profits at the expense of labour power,” he said.
“Despite our qualifications, expertise and experience, we are being denied job opportunities in Nigeria.”
Iniobong lamented that this trends not only undermines the skills and potential of Nigeria welders but also exacerbates unemployment and economic hardship.
“I am using this opportunity to appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create the enabling environment for the welding industry to thrive, the development of the steel industry and pursue industrialization of the Nigerian economy,” he said, adding that it is upon this that Nigeria can usher in the growth of the welding industry and creation of many additional welding jobs and opportunities for the members.
“Aside from job creation and opportunities, we appeal for more skills acquisition for our members and regulation framework that strengthens the industry and protect our interest,” the NUNIWE president emphasized.
He noted that the goals and objectives of the union include information sharing of legitimate welding opportunities in Nigeria and around the globe.
He added that the union also wanted the government to follow up cases of dehumanization of welders in their various workplaces and resolve them.
The President equally said the union would like to collaborate with relevant government agencies, multinationals and every stakeholders for welders liberation in the oil and gas as well as construction sectors.
He insisted that those were in addition to the union’s call for a collective resistance to the capitalists and miscreants in the welding profession who undermine the profession and the collective interests of members among others.
