Comrade Issa Aremu

Members of different labour unions under umbrella of International Global Union Federation in collaboration with Nigeria Labour Congress today in Kaduna came out strongly against casual, outsourced and contract works in Nigeria.

The bodies of unions met in Kaduna to mark the Decent Work Day as declared by International Labour Organization, ILO with a view to promoting global awareness against what they described as “ Precarious work and need for decent work” .

Addressing journalists at Kaduna NLC Secretariat after a brief meeting with the various union bodies in the state, Chairman Global Union, Africa region, Comrade Issa Aremu, said all workers engaged under casual, outsourced and contract arrangement are exposed to all kinds of abuse, unfair and unjust practices.

According to Aremu, a situation where workers are often compelled to sign against belonging to a union is not only contrary to provisions of the extant labour laws , but also labour contracts. While explaining that the labour law is an important regulator of the relationship between workers and their employers, Aremu, who was represented by Deputy General Secretary, Nigerian Union of Textile Garment Workers said there is every need for union bodies to organize to fight for rights of workers across the country.

He however emphasised that open disregard for the labour law by parties in the industrial relations system is capable of creating atmosphere of industrial anarchy, adding that the union bodies at all levels have observed with deep concern the increasing disregard for the rule of law several private sector employers , especially the oil sector.

Among issue he identified are discrimination, lack of human dignity, low wages, unsafe working conditions, indiscriminate termination of employment and unfair labour practices by employers. But he promised the unions are determined to join forces to embark on unbroken struggle to force recalcitrant employers to respect workers sight to join the union all over the county.