ABUJA, Nigeria – As Nigeria’s economic challenges persist, two influential labour leaders in Lagos have urged the incoming Minister of Labour to empathise with the workers.
Their comments came on Sunday, August 20, 2023, ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s swearing-in of new ministers.
Mrs. Funmi Sessi, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Lagos Chapter, expressed confidence in Mr. Simon Lalong, designated as the Minister of Labour and Employment.
Given Lalong’s tenure as a former governor of Plateau State, Sessi hopes he will use this experience to address the pressing concerns of the labour sector effectively.
She commented, “We’ve seen Lalong maintain a positive industrial relationship with labour unions in Plateau. Suppose this approach continues at the national level, including addressing concerns of both the public and private sectors. In that case, we anticipate a brighter future where every worker enjoys the fruits of their labour.”
Highlighting the qualities essential for the role, Sessi said the labour sector needed a compassionate, experienced, and humane minister.
“We need someone dedicated to promoting employment, productivity, and high-yield outcomes,” she added.
Similarly, Mr. Aladetan Abiodun, Secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Lagos State Council, pointed out the pressing challenges the new Minister for Labour would face.
The foremost of which is the lingering tension from the fuel subsidy removal. “This move has negatively impacted all fixed income earners. If not properly addressed, this might escalate into a significant industrial crisis,” warned Abiodun.
He further emphasized the urgency in settling the issue of the new minimum wage and expressed hope that the ministry would rise to its responsibilities.
This encompasses holding employers accountable, especially those who breach contractual agreements, and ensuring that all, including foreign companies, respect Nigeria’s labour laws.
With the nation’s eyes fixed on the incoming cabinet, it remains to be seen if the new Minister of Labour and Employment will rise to these challenges and meet the expectations of the labour sector.