ABEOKUTA– The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun State Council Thursday kickstart it’s activities marking the 2021 May day celebration with a symposium held at the Labour House, Abiola way, Abeokuta.
In his welcome address, the chairman, (NLC) Ogun State Council, Comrade Emmanuel Bankole stated that the theme of the celebration, ‘Covid-19 Pandemic, Social and Economic Crisis: Challenges For Decent Jobs, Social and People’s Welfare’s’ is essentially directed at examining the effect of the global pandemic on the socio-economic well-being of the people.
He further added that the implications of covid-19 on decent jobs and job security necessitate the theme of the symposium, adding that various experience and cerebral health professionals and labour activists are lined up to speak on the theme.
“There is no doubt that the working populace and their household’s worldwide have been the greatest victims of this pandemic, hence the interest of labour movement to draw attention to the scourge, create awareness and proffer solutions to mitigate it’s effects on humanity.
To us in Ogun State Council, we strongly believe that unionism in the 21st century is knowledge driven and to be successful labour leader, training and retraining is an indispensable tool. In this regard therefore, we shall not relent in providing platforms for educating and sensitizing our member on contemporary issues from time to time” comrd. Bankole added
Mainwhile, the chairman of the occasion and Speaker of the Ogun State house of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo in his remarks admonished the labour leaders to shift gear in its agitations for their rights and privileges.
Oluomo, queried why the labour agitations is notably known for salary increase alone, adding that it is time that labour agitations and protest should be geared towards basic Infrastructures in the country.
He noted that once that once basic Infrastructures are fixed, the pressure on salaries will reduce thereby creating an avenue for less agitations for salary increase.
‘When last did labour go the street to protest because of lack of free Education, or non implementation of health insurance scheme?, I think labour protest shouldn’t be about salary increase alone” he emphasized
The first paper was presented by Comrade (Mrs) Ronke Arowosegbe on the theme of the celebration, while Dr. Oyesola Animashaun presented a paper on Casualisation in workplace: An Assault on human dignity, filling the gals in labour law.
