NLC tasks FG on NLAC’s revival

…Establishment of PENCOM, NSITF boards

By Bimbola Oyesola

The Nigeria Labour Congress has charged the Federal Government to urgently revive the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) and ensure the establishment of statutory boards that protect workers’ interests, including the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

According to the NLC, the demand was put across to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi,

during his  recent visit to the Congress national headquarters in Abuja.

The NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah said the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between organised labour and the Federal Government.

The NLC during the visit, reiterated its demand for a more constructive and peaceful approach to industrial relations practice, emphasising that the increasing use of force and violence in addressing labour disputes must be discontinued.

“We strongly urged the Minister to work towards ensuring that industrial relations engagements in Nigeria adhere strictly to internationally accepted best practices and respect for social dialogue,” Upah said.

The NLC also raised concerns over the growing hardship facing Nigerian workers, particularly the alarming rise in cases of the working poor and the widespread decent work deficits across various sectors of the economy. Upah added that the Labour centre reiterated the need for immediate policy interventions to address these challenges and guarantee better working conditions, fair wages, and social protections for all workers in Nigeria.

Furthermore, it stressed the importance of restoring sanity to the nation’s industrial relations climate by ensuring that all social partners – government, employers, and trade unions – adhere to the established rules of engagement.

“The NLC believes that a fair and transparent labour administration system, where dialogue and negotiation take precedence over repression and coercion, will create a more stable and productive economy,” he said.

The NLC further stressed that, “while we acknowledge the Minister’s commitment to collaboration and dialogue, the NLC will remain vigilant in defending the rights of Nigerian workers and advocating for policies that improve their welfare.”

“We urge the government to translate its assurances into concrete actions that will lead to sustainable industrial peace and national development.”

Upah expressed that the Minister’s visit has demonstrated his readiness to work with all the social partners to make the world of work in Nigeria fair and equitable and “we thanked him for that”, adding that NLC “remains committed to working in the best interest of Nigerian workers and ensuring that their voices are heard in all matters affecting their welfare and the future of work in our nation.”

The Minister, in his remarks, however reassured the NLC of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to fostering industrial peace and harmony in the country.

He commended the Congress for its role in maintaining stability in the labour sector and reiterated the government’s willingness to engage with labour organisations in a mutually respectful and constructive manner.