Nasarawa State NLC Chairman, Comrade Yusuf Sarki Iya (right) being received by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Abdullahi.
Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC), Nasarawa State Chapter has rejected Senate decision of removing labour laws from exclusive Legislative list to concurrent legislative list.
The labour said if this is allowed to happen, it will create tension and disharmony between employers and labour in States.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Yusuf Sarki Iya revealed their position on Tuesday when he led the State Administrative Council of NLC on a courtesy call to Nasarawa State House of Assembly, in Lafia the state capital.
The NLC chairman pleaded with the speaker of the house and his honourable colleagues not to agree with the Senate’s move to remove labour laws from exclusive list in the interest of industrial peace and harmony.
Iya said since 1960 labour laws was adapted in the country and Nigeria having been a member of International Labour Organization ( ILO), stand to reject any calculated decisions that are not for the best interest of labour.
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“We are here to meet with you and deliberate on some issues that are of national concerns.
“We came with two issues, which is the issue of labour laws and the financial autonomy of the state legislature, Judiciary and local government.
“Rt. Honourable Sir, National Assembly is making effort to remove or transfer labour laws from exclusive legislative list to concurrent legislative list.
“Sir Doing that by the National Assembly will have negative effects ( consequences) on labour and other Nigerians .
“If every state has it own labour laws , it will generate tension , disunity and disharmony between labour and employers.
“It will also discourage people from investing in our country due to its effects if labour laws is removed from the exclusive legislative list.
“Sir, we are calling on you to reject the Senate attempt removal of labour laws from exclusive legislative list when the issue is brought to your table for discussion and your inputs, ” he said.
The NLC Chairman also advocated for the autonomy of the state legislature, judiciary and local government for transparency and accountability in governance .
Responding, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has appreciated the NLC for the visit and has assured that the House remain committed to the welfare of workers.
” We have heard all of your submissions, before now, we the Conference of Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly are discussing on the issue of the constitutional amendment.
” I will set up a committee that will handle the issue so that we will take a common position on the issue you have raised.
” I want to assure you that this House is ready to do your bidden. The House will reject what you have rejected as far as constitutional amendment is concern.
“What you, other people want is where we will stand for the betterment of our state.
“If the National Assembly communicated us for the constitutional amendment, we will invite you and few others to know and to take a common stand on that ,” he said.
The Rt. Honourable speaker assured them of the governor’s is readiness over implementation of financial autonomy for state House of Assembly and that of the state judiciary.
