ULC wants govt to tackle high unemployment rate, insecurity

The United Labour Congress (ULC), has urged the Federal Government to urgently tackle the high rate of unemployment in the country.

ULC noted that the economy presently lacks the capacity to create new jobs, hence the rising unemployment.
The President of the ULC, Joe Ajaero, stated this during the May Day celebration held at the National Stadium in Lagos.

While felicitating with workers, he said the theme of this year’s May Day, “Reflect, organise and engage” was apt and instructive, as workers have had to pass through excruciating pain in the struggle to make daily living.

He said youth unemployment remains high, while the few available jobs are cornered by the families of the elite through unscrupulous processes.

On insecurity, the ULC president noted that what is going on in the country is frightening, and deserved collective outrage across national spectrum.

He urged the Federal Government to put a stop to it, as what is happening has clearly become a genocide.

On the state of the nation, Ajero stressed the need to restore unity, saying the nation sits on the brink of disunity, as ethnic champions seemed to have claimed the centre stage.

He said: “We need to make all nationalities in the country comfortable within the nation’s space. Any group that believes it can muzzle others and harass them into submission is making a huge mistake.
“Our nation needs to be brought back from the brink before it enters into an unending spiral.”

Among other demand to the Federal Government, ULC called for the review of the power sector privatisation, while urging the completion of that the Ajaokuta Steel Company, which will bring about hundreds of job creation, and economic development.

The union said the Bill concerning its rehabilitation must be reviewed and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, while all employers should ensure compliance with the new national minimum wage among others.