NLC mulls nationwide solidarity rally for Kaduna workers

•Flays job-killing reforms

State councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have disclosed that they would organise a nation-wide rally to support Kaduna State workers.
The President of the congress, Ayuba Wabba, made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja after a meeting of the NLC National Executive Council (NEC).

He said, while labour movement supports reforms that would engender efficiency, it would not support those that kill jobs and deepen poverty among Nigerians.He described an alleged court order procured by the Kaduna State government to arrest labour leaders across the state as a wrong move that would worsen the crisis.

According to him: “Congress has resolved that all the state councils would stage a one-day protests and rallies in support of the suffering workers of Kaduna State.

“Our message to the state governor is that this line of action would not help the situation. Such step negates the principle of freedom of association, which Nigeria ratified in 1960.

“We have seen that there has been an increase in the violation of workers and trade unions’ rights and this is very fundamental because the right to freely assembly to advance their interest is recognised by the Nigerian constitution.”

Wabba added that the organised labour would support reforms that are transparent, credible and aimed at addressing those challenges in our body polity.He explained that the professional body that is supposed to test the competency of teachers is the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

He alleged that the state was fulfilling one of the cardinal requirements of the Bretton Wood institutions to obtain a loan facility. The labour chief expressed concern that no reason had been given for the other workers who are included in the sack, adding that it was not in conformity with the rule of law and due process.