The former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has urged the Ajaero-led leadership to defend and protect rights of Nigerian workers.
Oshiomhole, a senator-elect and former chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) spoke Saturday during a dinner organised by media colleagues and friends of Comrade Joe Ajaero in Abuja.
Oshiomhole said the unity of the labour movement and its fighting spirit is not to be sacrificed for the pleasure of any government but to better the living condition of workers and citizens.
“The unity of the labour movement is not at the pleasure of the government of the day. So protect the movement, defend its honour and uphold what you stand for. Please keep fighting spirit of our labour movement going. Deal with the big issues. When you are on the side of the people, you cannot fall,” he said.
On workers involvement in politics, the former Edo state Governor said it is workers’ birthright to talk politics and be involved in its activities because politics involve decisions and polices affect workers and their families.
“It is our birthright to talk politics. We produce the wealth of the nation and politics is about appropriating the fruits of the economy we drive.
“I use this opportunity to assure that with me in the Senate, though I have only one vote, I cannot be a party to any anti-labour law. I cannot be a party to any law that is meant to weaken, undermine or do any of those things that will revise the gains of the labour movement. I will rather be a one-man-squad.
“The only organisation I know is accountable, truly independent of government whether government at home or abroad, that doesn’t seek headline in order to attract dollars, that collect union dues and run its affairs on the basis and wishes of its people is the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress,” he said.
The NLC President Comrade Ajaero in his response said; “The present NLC will not disappoint past labour leaders, workers and Nigerians.”