The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday warned against employers either stopping or deducting workers salary in the country due to Covid-19 pandemic.
President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba while speaking at an event commemorating the 2020 International Workers Memorial Workers’ Day in Abuja , said such action is illogical and illegal.
According to him, workers’ salaries are core elements of employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements, so stopping it is illegal and will be resisted by workers.
He said already , the Congress has directed workers in the country to resist any form of salary deduction or stoppage by any employers as a result of corona virus.
Wabba who is also the President of International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) said labour is not a commodity to be taken, trampled, and tossed aside.
“On this occasion we make the point that labour is not a commodity to be taken, trampled, and tossed aside. Workers create the wealth and demand a decent fraction of the reward of their efforts.
“We urge workers everywhere to continue to draw inspiration from the fact that without our sweat, no sweet gain can be made. Without the twitching of our muscles, no socio-economic puzzle can be solved.
“In reciprocation of the enormous sacrifice made by workers, we urge employers of labour to show solidarity with the sacrifice of our workers and people by ensuring wage protection, income support and social inclusion at these trying times.
“This is not the time to stop or deduct from workers’ salaries. Such an action would be both illogical and illegal as workers’ salaries are core elements of employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements. We have asked our affiliates and state councils to resist any salary deduction on the account of Covid-19″.
On the International Workers Memorial Workers’ Day , the NLC President said ” it is a day to remember workers who had lost some limb, suffered injury and other forms of severe loss while at their work places.
“The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Stop the Pandemic at Work”. This is significant coming at the epoch of the global fight against the novel corona virus disease otherwise known as Covid-19.
“The contribution of frontline workers especially healthcare workers has become the only buffer between deaths in thousands and deaths in millions. Every day, our healthcare workers courageously dare the stare of death in selfless service to rescue the lives of others.
“On a day like this, we salute the uncommon love, faith, courage, and sacrifice by frontline workers who have given more than what the call of duty demands to give hope to humanity”.
