…Says It Is A De-Service To Nigerian People
The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) has rejected the planned concession of Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports by the Federal Government, describing it as a de-service to Nigerians.
The rejection was contained in a communique issued at the end of National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC regular meeting held on February 17, 2021 at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Conference Centre, Kado-Abuja.
According to NLC, “The NEC rejected the concession of Nigeria’s airports and other considerations for privatization describing such as great disservice to the Nigerian people and a betrayal of the efforts of Nigerian workers especially those employed in the aviation sector.”
The NEC of NLC comprises all the Presidents, General Secretaries and Treasurers of NLC’s affiliate unions; Chairpersons and Secretaries of State Councils and the FCT and members of the National Administrative Council.
The NEC said it also frowned at the increasing attack against workers and trade union rights by employers of labour in both the public and private sector.
NEC berated the management of Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) for attempts to kill unionism in the establishment especially through punitive transfer of trade union executives, withholding of workers’ salaries and refusal to remit statutory deductions.
Also, the case of sack of trade union executives by Turkish Airline and the anti-unionization stance of Caverton Helicopters was discussed by NEC.
NEC deplored the industrial tyranny by Turkish Airlines and Caverton Helicopters.
The NEC also decried continued violation of workers’ rights in the banking sector especially through imposition of outrageous targets and absence of formal machinery for collective bargaining.
Recalled that the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika,had in his message on the commemoration of the 2020 International Civil Aviation Day, said that the planned concession of Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports was still in progress despite rejection by the House of Representatives
The House of Representatives had asked the Federal Government to suspend the plan to concession airports until all issues had been addressed.
