What we expect of new minister — Labour leaders

On Sunday, two prominent labor figures argued that the next minister of labor must understand the plight of the workforce, particularly at this moment when the economy is experiencing difficulties that directly affect them.

Before Monday’s swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers by President Bola Tinubu, the leaders gave separate interviews to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

The head of the Nigerian Labor Congress in Lagos, Mrs. Funmi Sessi, expressed confidence in Mr. Simon Lalong’s ability to carry out his duties as Minister of Labor and Employment considering his background.

Sessi advised Lalong to leverage his prior experience as governor of Plateau State to address labor-related issues.

“The future is bright with labour and Lalong as the minister, all things being equal, if he will not change, and with the good industrial relationship that he maintained with the labour unions in his state.

“I hope he will extend it to the labour centres in Nigeria, including Nigeria Labour Congress, all workers, not only in the public sector, but private as well; both formal and informal.

”This is necessary so that we can have the working people in Nigeria partake in the same wealth that they create; it will be a commonwealth, and that is our hope, “ she said.

The labour leader said that the sector would need a minister with compassion, and experience; one who is humane.

Sessi said, “Someone that will give all to ensure that he will create more ground for employment, productivity, high yield of productivity.”

Additionally, Mr. Aladetan Abiodun, Secretary of the Lagos State Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, stated that the elimination of gasoline subsidies will leave the incoming Minister of Labour with a difficult industrial environment.

He claims that all fixed-income people have been badly harmed by the withdrawal.

“I strongly believe that if this issue is not properly managed, it may snowball into a full-scale industrial crisis.

“It is precisely this reason that we want a minister who will hit the ground running.

“Also, we want the issue of the new minimum wage to be quickly settled; this is another area where we are going to need quick intervention.

“Furthermore, we hope under this new administration, the Ministry of Labour will wake up to some of its statutory responsibilities in the area of labour inspections.

“This includes bringing employers of labour who often breach their contract of agreement with employees to order, as well as ensuring that the laws of our land are respected, particularly by foreign companies who usually show utter disrespect to our labour laws, “ Aladetan said.