Union urges government to involve its members in N25b car loan scheme

In order to promote Made–in Nigeria product the Trade Union Congress has called on the Federal Government in is planning to “float a car purchase loan scheme to help auto unions to be beneficiary.

The National President, AUTOBATE, Edeki Osumah, said though the operations remain unknown as we write, but we are sure the scheme will help to move the sector forward. It will help to boom the industry, and also benefit the middle class.

We, however, advise for a well mapped-out, clear and nationalistic guideline that would not short-changed the beneficiaries at the end of it all.It is instructive that caution be taken to ensure that the so-called investors who; cut costs only on workers, detest unionization, promote outsourcing and mass casualization exploit the opportunity. They flagrantly disobey the labour laws and global best practices at will, taking advantage of the lack of the political will on the part of our leaders to ensure enforcement.

He said as a union we understands the fact that the Federal Government is trying to promote a developmental policy, especially as the recession bites harder, but we feel that this should not be done at the expense of the struggling middle class who really needs this kind of opportunity.

AUTOBATE calls on Federal Government to institute public-owned automobile industries so as to widen and deepen the expected development. Industrial standards should also be maintained. This is the safest line to lead in this world of economic downturn so as to promote collective prosperity and robust developments.

AUTOBATE warns that that the 25billion naira loan must not be left at the mercy of the greedy bankers who also take advantage of opportunities like this to divert funds to other investments thereby frustrating the supposed beneficiaries.