The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has said that the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic only further exposed the appalling state of the country’s economy.
The congress after her organ meeting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital asked the federal government to do all it can to resolve all disputes with health workers in the country.
The workers added that prior to the outbreak the organized labour had urged the government to save the economy through diversification but all pleas were ignored.
Similarly, the workers urged the federal government to drastically reduce the cost of governance and eradicate contract inflation, given the level of poverty in the country.
The workers urge the government to award contracts to only labour friendly indigenous companies.
On insecurity, the TUC NEC in session appreciated the effort of the security agencies in fighting crimes and criminality; but added that the Commander- in -Chief of the Arm Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the security agencies should change their operational strategies with a view to ending the menace now.
“Many innocent Nigerians have lost their lives and unfortunately, there appears to be no end in sight. Government and security agencies must remember that they swore to protect the lives, property and the territorial integrity of the country,” the workers stated.
The NEC lamented that despite the huge loans the federal government collected prior to the outbreak of the pandemic no significant move was made to remedy the health, education and the manufacturing sectors of the economy, adding that the attitude of public office holders seeking healthcare abroad rather than improving our health sector is part of the problem.
