TUC restates commitment to enhance workers’ welfare

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Lagos State Council, has restated its commitment to meeting the needs of members, as well as addressing labour issues that will enhance workers’ welfare in the state.

The union, which sought the cooperation of the media, civil society, and other labour centres to put a stop to the aberration that has deprived Nigerians the benefits of their labour, promised to tackle the scourge of casualisation, outsourcing, and other anti-labour practices.

The Council in it New Year message, demanded good governance from leaders in the state for a greater Lagos.
Signed by the Chairman, Gbenga Ekundayo, and Secretary, Abiodun Aladetan, the union called on the state government to proffer solutions to some of the challenges confronting its members.

The union also urged the state to hasten discussions on the implementation of the senior citizen status for retirees in Lagos State.

The retirees, the union said, are to enjoy free transportation service and adequate medical care, in view of their huge contributions to the development of the state during their active days.

“We are totally in support of this on-going effort of the government in this direction, and we are more than willing to work with the government and other critical stakeholders in the various sectors that their services will be needed in making this arrangement a reality,” they said.

On infrastructural facilities, the workers said the government’s efforts towards creating alternative transportation system for Lagosians through rail and waterway transportation are long overdue.

It noted it was a right step to go in view of the enormous challenges encountered by the citizens daily, as it will reduce the stress workers go through every day, increase productive time that would have been wasted in traffic, and reduce their health burden.

The Council called for the enforcement of best standards and practices for effective waste management across all factories, industries and organisations in the state.

The Union proposed a joint task force, made up of labour, civil society organisations, Lagos State Safety Commission, and the Inspectorate Department of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (Ikoyi Office), for proper monitoring and enforcement.

Meanwhile, the workers have commended the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for keeping his election promise to surpass the approved federal minimum wage and consequential adjustments.

“This type of gesture can only come from a governor, who takes the welfare of his people to heart. Hence, we want to call on all workers of Lagos State to the fact that to whom much is given, much is expected. We strongly believe that a well-motivated workforce is what is needed for the realisation of the government’s agenda.”