ASSBIFI advocates for improved labour standards to advance workers interest
By Eberechi Obinagwam
In commemoration of World Day for Decent Work, National Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has joined the International Labour Community to advocate for improved labour standards, social justice and equity and solicit partnership and collaboration of stakeholders to advance workers interest.
In an event organised by ASSBIFI to commemorate the day on Tuesday in Lagos, President, Comrade Olusoji Oluwole said this years theme, “for democracy that delivers decent work” resonates strongly with vision for dignity of labour, social justice, wellbeing, rights and privileges of workers. According to him, it underscores the expectation that democracy should prioritize workers’ living standard, welfare, safety and dignity, stressing that, Nigeria is yet to fully achieve this in its context.
The ASSBIFI president said Nigerians Trade Union system needs express overhaul, explaining that the Labour laws are obsolete and have been under review for over two decades with the undermining effects on workers’ rights. “Employers freely violate workers’ rights to freedom of Association guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution of Nigeria and ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of Rights to Organize, and the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining encapsulated in ILO Convention 98, already ratified by Nigeria.
“It is equally pertinent to note the tactical ways Employers have resorted to annihilating and killing trade unions under the pretext of “voluntarism” provided in the Trade Union (Amendment) Act, 2005. They intimidate, threaten and victimize to persuade and dissuade Members and new employees from joining Trade Unions, undermining the democratic intent of the law, he said.
He noted that the time has come for workers to come together to affirm that the Trade Union (Amendment) Act, 2005 did not repeal automatic Membership of Unions as provided in the original Act, but instead strengthened it with an option of voluntary Membership.
“We reckon with the various policies of Government to stabilize and improve the economic fortune of the country, including the ongoing recapitalization of Banks and the recently promulgated National Insurance Industry Reform Act, and urge Government and the various Managements to ensure that Unions and Workers Representatives are involved in navigating the process, negotiations and dialogue on issues connected with workers’ rights and privileges to avoid the type of industrial crises experienced during the 2004-2005 recapitalization of banks. We have already communicated our position to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Central Bank of Nigeria and our Employers and Managements,” he said.
He noted that its association condemns managements’ deliberate perpetuation of unfair labour practices by frustrating the renewal of the Sector-wide Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that had been due since 2007 and urge government to intervene and uphold Nigeria’s obligation under the ILO Convention 98 on Collective Bargaining Agreement, already ratified by Nigeria. “This deliberate disregard for the renewal of the CBA undermines International Labour Standards,” he said.
Olusola also reiterated its call for the Ratification of the ILO Convention 158 on Termination of Employment, saying that the ratification of this Convention will strengthen and further align our Labour Laws with International Standards and protect workers’ rights to justice and equity.
Mrs. Remi Ihejirika from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) said the government needs to attract investors to be part of globalization, which would positively impact workers. According to her, infrastructure is a key factor in globalization, and its absence in a nation makes it unattractive to investors. She urged the government to invest in infrastructure development and create employment opportunities for young people.
Present at the event to advocate for decent work were Mrs Adenike Adebayo-Ajala Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Comrade Rufus Olusesan Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association, PERESSA, Comrade Revd. Bright O. Adiukwu, assistant director, FMLYE and Mrs Remi Ihejirika from Friedrick Ebert Steffung (Fts)
