Workers seek pro-masses polices to tackle poverty
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have urged government to create people’s oriented policies in order to reduce the level of poverty in the country.
Speaking in Lagos, a Vice President of the NLC, Amaechi Asugwani, said workers intermittently appealed to the government to make changes that would impact positively on people.
According to Asugwani, creating people’s oriented policies would reduce the level of poverty in the country. He said Nigerians are worried about the increasing cost of food, goods and services without increase in salaries.
“We are demanding for a change. They promised us food, jobs, stable power supply but none has been done. The government should be sensitive to the plight of the people. It has not increased the salaries of workers and many companies have closed because of poor power supply,” he said.
Asugwani called on the Federal Government to create policies that would reduce the suffering of Nigerians and also put food on their tables.
Also speaking, Human Right Lawyer, Femi Falana, called President Muhammadu Buhari to prosecute those who diverted the money meant for the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs).
He disclosed this at Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s office when organised labour made a peaceful protest to his office. Falana, while appreciating the organised labour, said: “President Buhari should flush out corrupt officials out of his government and those involved in the diversion of IDPs money should be prosecuted.”
The Human Right lawyer also charged state governments to join the fight against corruption. His word: “In spite of the promises made by this government to make life good for the people, pensioners are dying, things are getting difficult everyday.
“I urged organised labour to ensure payment of pensions and salaries of workers. Despite recession, convoys of Governors are still very long and they still purchase cars.”
According to him, Buhari government should know that the honeymoon is over, saying, “I urged Nigerians to always join protest when labour calls for it.”
While he wished President Buhari speedy recovery, Falana condemned officials of government who travel abroad for medical treatment. “It is a shame that our governors and President still travel abroad for medical treatment”, he said.
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1 Comments
LAWYER, FEMI FALANA, PLEASE BE VERY VOCAL AND PERSISTENT ON DEMANDING THE RIGHTS OF OLD AGE FEDERAL PENSIONERS WHO ARE DAILY DYING BECAUSE OF HUNGER AND DISEASE.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, PENSIONERS ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE PENSION ARREARS ARISING FROM 56% OF THEIR PENSION INCREASES OF 2011 (OUT OF WHICH ONLY 33% HAVE BEEN PAID LEAVING A BALANCE FOR 30 MONTHS) AND ALSO THE NON-PAYMENT OF HARMONISED PENSION ARREARS OWED TO PENSIONERS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.
IT IS THE FIRST AND FOREMOST RESPONSIBILITY OF NLC AND TUC TO ENSURE THAT THESE TWO TYPES OF PENSION ARREARS ARE PAID TO THE FEDERAL WORKERS IN ONE GO, HENCEFORTH. FURTHERMORE, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD INCREASE THE PENSIONS BY 57 % AS AND NOT ONLY BY 33% AS THEY DID IN 2012.
We will review and take appropriate action.