AGAINST the controversy generated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Lamido Sanusi, over the need to reduce the nation’s workforce by half to ensure sustainable economy, Minister of Labour, Chukwuemeka Wogu, has allayed fears among Nigerian workers, saying they would not lose their jobs.
“I speak authoritatively and I want to be quoted. Both the TUC and the NLC should not be agitated on the issue because the Federal Gvoernment is committed to protecting and creating more jobs in the country,” he said.
Speaking at the eighth National Labour Relations Summit and Fellowship Award, themed: “Social policy, labour relations and the transformation agenda: Extending social protection in Nigeria,” the minister said the Federal Government is desirous to create more jobs.
Wogu said a committee has been set up to create more jobs in multi sectors of the nation, saying the committee would commence work next week.
Though, he said job creation is more of private sector activities, the minister said the government is creating enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, adding that government owes the society the responsibility to do just that.
He also said that President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to implementing job creation policy, particularly in sectors like agriculture, construction, ICT, tourism etc.
Speaking earlier, the presidents of NLC and TUC, Abdulwaheed Omar and Peter Esele, had condemned the statement of the CBN governor, adding that with 50 per cent open unemployment and official 25 per cent unemployment rate in the country, revolution and youth revolt are imminent.
The labour leaders opined that Nigeria can move forward if government revives real sector of the economy, manufacturing, transportation, textile, food drinks and beverages and other key sectors of the economy, adding that government should enhance labour force to achieve more for the country with intervention fund.
Meanwhile, CBN deputy governor, Mr Tunde Lemo, speaking on Sanusi’s statement on the imperative of reducing the nation’s workforce by as much as 50 per cent, during a visit by House of Representatives members to the CBN office, on Thursday, disclosed that the embattled governor was quoted out of context.
Tribune
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