COVID-19: Labour/CSO Situation Room Committee Inaugurated

Tunji Buhari tunji
Tunji Buhari tunji

The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a blow on citizens, businesses and revenue in virtually all the states in Nigeria. The toll on workers as the pandemic escalates is best imagined. These disastrous fallouts has forced the leadership of labour in the country to establish a situation room comprising of its affiliate unions, civil society and other relevant groups to monitor and respond to the issues appropriately.
The situation room committee was inaugurated in Lagos on Thursday, May 21 to sensitize workers and citizens on the reality, prevalence , prevention and containment measures against the virus.

During the inauguration which held at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) secretariat in Yaba, the Chairperson of the NLC, Mrs. Funmi Agnes Sessi said the thrust of setting up the committee is to put in place protective measures against further spread of the disease, protect jobs, wages and means of livelihood of Nigerians.

She explained that the committee is expected to predict and monitor impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the workforce as well as embark on advocacy and social dialogue with government and private sector employers to promote public health and employment protection for workers.

Members of the committee were drawn from the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives(NANNM), Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), and Nigeria Union of Air Transport Employees(NUATE). Others are Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Joint Health Sector Unions(JOHESU) and the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers Association (AUFCDA)

The Environmental Rights Action (ERA) was nominated to represent civil society.

 

By Olatunji Buhari

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