TUC BACKS AVIATION STRIKE, CALLS FOR ACTION ON INSECURITY, ECONOMY
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has backed the ongoing industrial action by aviation workers, insisting that employers have no right to prevent workers from joining trade unions.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, stated this on Tuesday during a briefing on the state of the nation in Abuja, where he declared the Congress’s full support for the aviation workers’ action.
Osifo warned that the TUC would resist any attempt by employers to victimise workers for exercising their right to unionise.
On the economy and security, the TUC urged the Federal Government to sustain its current policies while taking urgent steps to tackle insecurity, particularly to enable farmers return to their farms and ease pressure on food supplies.
The Congress said while the microeconomy was showing signs of stabilisation, the macroeconomic situation remained a concern. Osifo also noted that the naira remained undervalued, with implications for the cost of living.
On policing, the TUC called for the implementation of state police, urging the National Assembly to fast-track the relevant legislation. It also advocated greater use of technology to strengthen efforts to combat insecurity across the country.
On the energy sector, the Congress opposed the outright sale of government-owned refineries, calling instead for the retention and proper management of government equity in the facilities.
The TUC also expressed concerns over the remittance of the five per cent charge and workers’ welfare, while commending the Federal Government for the recent salary increase approved for military personnel.
The Congress said it would continue engaging the Federal Government until concrete measures were implemented to address economic hardship, insecurity and workers’ welfare.
Meanwhile, passengers were stranded at airports in Lagos and Abuja on Tuesday as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and TUC disrupted flight operations in protest against unmet demands from domestic airlines.
The industrial action, which grounded several flight schedules, was linked to the unions’ demands over workers’ unionisation and the remittance of statutory charges to the aviation regulator.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), meanwhile, appealed to the unions to sheathe their swords and exercise restraint pending “the return” of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who has been working to resolve the issues.
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