News Editor
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Nasarawa State has rejected Senate attempt to remove labour laws from the exclusive legislative list to concurrent legislative list.
This, the labour said if allowed to happen, would create tension and disharmony between labour and employers in states.
Mr Yusuf Iya, the state NLC Chairman, made their position known when he led the State Administrative Council of NLC on a sensitisation visit to the House of Assembly in Lafia on Tuesday.
Iya urged the speaker and other members of the assembly not to agree with the Senate’s move to remove labour laws from exclusive list in the interest of industrial peace and harmony.
The NLC chairman said that labour laws have been domesticated since 1960 in the country and Nigeria is a member of International Labour Organization ( ILO), hence the need of its stand to reject any decision that is anti-labour in the interest of peace.
“We are here to interface with you and discuss some national issues.
“We have two issues; one is the issue of labour laws and the second one is the financial autonomy of the state legislature, judiciary and local governments.
“Sir, there is attempt by the National Assembly to remove or transfer labour laws from exclusive legislative list to concurrent legislative list.
“Doing that by the National Assembly will have negative effects on labour and other Nigerians.
“If every state has its 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 law is removed from the exclusive legislative list.
“Sir, we are calling on you to reject the Senate attempt of removal of labour laws from exclusive legislative list when the issue is brought to your table for discussion and your inputs,” he urged.
The NLC chairman also advocated for the autonomy of the state legislature, judiciary and local governments for transparency and accountability in governance.
Responding, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, appreciated the NLC for the visit and assured that the assembly remain committed to the welfare of workers.
“We have heard all 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 bidding. The House will reject what you have rejected as far as constitutional amendment is concerned.
“What you, other people want is where we will stand for the betterment of our state.
“Once we are communicated by the National Assembly on the constitutional amendment, we will invite you and few others to know and take a common stand on that,” he said.
The speaker said that Gov. Abdullahi Sule is ready to implement the financial autonomy for the state House of Assembly and Judiciary arms once it takes off.
