Trade union rights synonymous with national devt – Wabba

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, yesterday frowned on the move by “some individuals to ensure that there is no democratic space for trade unions and citizens to exercise their right to freedom,” stressing that “union rights is synonymous with national development.
” Wabba who was speaking during a road show to mark this year’s campaign against all forms of violence against women in Abuja, also disclosed that the organised Labour has commence negotiation with Federation on new minimum wage.
He said: “When in our country people are trying to make sure that there is no democratic space for trade unions and citizens to exercise the right to freedom, Germany, a country lead by a woman has the largest trade union centre in the world, yet their economy is one of the best.
So, certainly, trade union right is synonymous with national development.
“We have the minimum wage negotiation today with the tripartite.
So, I will not be able to join you.
But at the negotiation i will make sure that gender perspective in the minimum wage will be duly highlighted.
Because ILO’s Convention for Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value, is completely against women being paid less than the man folk for an equal job done.
“So, like we have canvassed for equality between women and men in the past, we are further saying there should be no discrimination and dichotomy between men and women.
We should be able to respect our women because of the fact that they are nation builders.
Therefore, we mark this occasion in furtherance to protecting women against violence because it’s obvious that violence against women has been on the increase.
” On violence against women, Wabba said the Organised Labour would resist any form of violence melted on women in the country.
“We are denouncing violence against women in totality and also saying that we will resist any act of violence against women across Nigeria; because any woman that her rights have been violated is a violation against the society at large.
“This auspicious occasion is avenue for us to continue to unite and advance the common course for the advancement of all issues against women.