President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba has urged the Federal Government to institute a national employment strategy which would mop up a reasonable youth population from the society.
Wabba,who gave the advice a one day “Roundtable on Decent Work Situation in Nigeria”, lamented the level of joblessness in the country.
He accused the political class in Nigeria, estimated to be just about ten percent of feasting on the nation’s commonwealth,saying his claims were visible in the huge severance packages that politicians earn from the common purse for working just four years.
He further accused them of drawing huge security votes from the wealth generated by 90 percent of the workforce.
He added:”I know of a state where workers have not received their pension or benefits from 2013 to date. Yet most of the governors award huge pension to themselves for serving out just four years. Therefore we must raise our voice to demand for jobs that are just and decent because we create the wealth.
“Today the minimum wage of N30000 has been depreciated so much that 90 percent of the workforce purchasing power has been reduced to nothing.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said in the past years modest successes were recorded with the support of the ILO in the development of Nigeria’s Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCP I&II).
Ngige who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Yerima Tarfa said the programme suffered setback at the implementation stage, largely due to the absence of a deliberate structure or framework for coordination and accountability.
“We are at the verge of a third attempt which must produce the desired results.
“The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to promoting decent work in Nigeria not withstanding some challenges in the country. Recall that in 2020, the global economy slumped into recession due to COVID-19 pandemic, disruption in trade flow, shut-down in domestic and international flights and restriction in intercity travels.
“Nigeria was not insulated from this. Although the Nigerian economy appears to have weathered the economic storm that emanated from twin shocks of COVID-19 and low international oil prices, we must all as critical stakeholders now redouble our collective efforts to ensure continued national economic growth and avoid a reversal into recession.
“Rising insecurity and unemployment continue to constitute key risks to the Nigerian economy as the investment climate is pressured and underpinned by heightened insecurity across the country. This is not unlinked with the increasing number of unemployed youths seeking means of fulfilling their aspirations in life. Decent Work is needed now more than ever before, to engender a harmonious and productive working environment, wealth generation and strengthen our fragile economic growth,” Ngige noted.
793400cookie-checkNigeria Needs National Employment Plan-NLC
