Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says the labour union is different and distinct from the Labour Party (LP) despite their common history.
Ajaero made the statement while addressing concerns about the links between the union and the Labour Party on a Channels Television programme, Friday. The Labour Party came third behind the second-placed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the declared winners, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria’s recently concluded Presidential elections.
The LP was established by the NLC in 2002.
“Even if the Labour Party candidate had won the election, the NLC position would not change on issues, fundamentally on the issue of deregulation, on the issue of the wages of workers,” Ajaero said.
The Labour Party is contesting the results of the Presidential election before the elections petition tribunal.
“We’ve been able to draw a line between how we function as NLC and how the Labour Party informed by NLC should operate. So, any administration that extends their hand of fellowship, we will work with them.”
He said matters pertaining to the welfare of Nigerian workers and the general populace would be staunchly attended to by the union, irrespective of who holds the reins of power.
On the purported wage increases being considered by the Federal Government, he said, “Ordinarily, as we are moving towards the expiration of existing agreements, we should be meeting by now – a series of meetings. At times, it may take six months, it may take five months. It may take more engagements so that we can arrive at something.
“If they inaugurate a committee for wage review, everyone in this country will know about it. I don’t think there is any one in existence now,” he said.
He further revealed that the union was looking forward a wage increase to make sure people survive the “harsh” economic situation caused by inflation.
He observed that inflation was rife in the nation and that some of it came as a result of the actions of government.
“This inflation is always made by the actions and inactions of the Nigerian state. You can look at the issue of increase in tariff on electricity which is dependent on inflation,” Ajaero said.
According to him, each time electricity tariff increases, it inadvertently increases inflation. He described this as a recurring decimal.
“Some of their actions and inactions caused this inflation, and then we’ll have to look for a shock absorber that will take care of this inflation each time it comes,” the NLC president said.
