May Day: Unions restate resolve to remain in ULC

Affiliate unions of the United Labour Congress (ULC), yesterday restated their resolve to remain in the new labour centre, saying that is ‘‘where genuine concern to exit Nigerian workers from challenges facing them lies’’.

National Organising Secretary of Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), Comrade Eragbe Anslem, in a remark during workers day celebration organised by ULC in Abuja, stated that members of ASURI will remain committed to the ‘‘struggle’’ with a view ‘‘to moving ULC forward’’.

According to Anslem, ‘‘the ideology of ULC will invariable revolutionise unionism in the country to an enviable height’’.

In this vein, he expressed the hope that ‘‘more unions are expected to join the 22 affiliates of United Labour Congress’’.

Besides, the National Organising Secretary also expressed the commitment of ASURI members towards the development of Nigeria through research and development.

Similarly, the President, Nigerian Railway Workers Union, Saidu Garba, who was represented at the occasion, reiterated their unalloyed support for ULC, stressing that railway workers have total confidence in the leadership of the new centre.

Responding, National Organising Secretary/PRO of ULC, Comrade Nasiru Kabiru, assured members gathered for the event that the national body ‘‘will not relent in its quest to promote the welfare of workers under its umbrella’’.

Kabiru, also said that the ‘‘ULC is well represented in the ongoing negotiation with the federal government for N65,000 new minimum wage for workers in the country’’.

He then expressed the hope that Nigerian workers are heading towards better days ahead in terms of salaries.

For his part, Chairman, United Labour Congress, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Comrade Paulinus Onyeodi, thanked members in the 22 affiliate unions of ULC for their continued support, pointing out that the issue of pay rise for Nigerian workers is a top priority on the agenda of the new labour centre.

According to Onyeodi, ‘‘we will give our best to ensure that the ongoing negotiations for N65,000 pay rise yield the desired result, the current N18,000 minimum wage is appalling and unacceptable considering the current economic realities in Nigeria.’’

He urged members to remain law abiding citizens for the progress of the country.

Speaking on the sidelines of the May Day celebration, Liaison Officer and National Organising Secretary, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Alex Stephen, who stressed the importance of labour unions, stated that such platforms ‘‘provide the capacity for workers to advance their interest in line with best practices, hence the need for workers to always unionise for better results’’.