Introduction
Socialist Labour wants to help to popularise the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Nigerian Workers’ Charter of Demands.
We believe that the Charter provides an important set of demands. First, any politician who is asking for support from the millions of workers and other toiling people should be asked to accept the Charter as a basis for their manifesto. Second, after the election, the NLC, TUC and their member trade unions should use the Charter as a basis for their demands and take appropriate collective action to ensure that they are achieved.
Thus we believe that the Charter is an important document that should be considered by all politicians, trade unionists and other working peoples. It provides a basis for a much fairer society that is moving towards a position where education and health care are provided on the basis of need rather than on the payment of fees. Where all workers are paid a proper minimum wage that should be increased each year. Where the management of our natural resources is publicly explained and not hidden behind the NNPC. Where everyone has the right to physical security and social protection through-out their lives.
We need to use the NLC Charter as a basis for choosing who we vote for in the 2023 elections and, more importantly, making demands for a fairer society that is implemented as a result of effective collective action by the trades unions and wider toiling peoples.
In addition, we expect that the new NLC leadership, that is to be elected next year, to sign up to this Charter. One of their first tasks should be to develop a practical plan to ensure that these demands are backed by effective collective action to ensure that they are implemented in the short-term by the new Government.
Nigerian Workers’ – Charter of Demands
(Summarized Copy)
EDUCATION
Free and quality education up to tertiary level for all Nigerian students and complete with excellent facilities in all public Secondary, Vocational and Tertiary Institutions.
Prioritization of quality remuneration and conditions of service for both the teaching and non-teaching staff of public institutions.
Establishment of an Education Bank to make funds available for poor students to finance their education.
Guarantee of safe school environment devoid of violent, pervasive and abusive tendencies which are detrimental to the attainment of educational
outcomes and the equipping of the Nigerian child for meaningful contribution to society and national development.
Legislation that prohibits public officials including civil servants from sending their children to foreign schools while occupying or serving in public office.
HEALTHCARE
Cost-free comprehensive health care services should be available to all citizens especially those under the age of 18 years, pregnant women, the aged and disabled through a universal health coverage as a right, on demand, or at the point of need, without discrimination by socio-economic status in line with Constitutional provisions in Chapter 2 Section 17 (3)(d).
The state should take responsibility for providing cost-free health care in public health institutions and under mobile health care arrangements for those who cannot access public hospitals without assistance. Citizens should have the right to enjoy the best attainable state of physical and mental health.
Enrolment of more Nigerians into the National Health Insurance Scheme especially informal workers, the weak and the vulnerable.
Legislative prohibition of public officers accessing health care in foreign countries. Such Legislative restrictions and prohibitions should apply to all public officers, elected or appointed, from using public resources to access health care in foreign countries.
LIVING WAGES AND PRIORITIZATION OF WORKERS’ WELFARE
Reasonable Living National Minimum Wage for Nigerian Workers and the Review of the same periodically as the national economic situation demands.
Retention of the National Minimum Wage in the Exclusive List of the Constitution for a binding effect and application across all the States and Local Governments of Nigeria.
Pay Salaries of Workers as and when due. Criminalize non-payment of Salaries and Violation of Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Pay Pensioners their entitlements and benefits as and when due. Criminalize non-payment of pension benefits.
Affordable Housing for Nigerian workers and people contiguous to business/workplaces.
Recruit quality hands into the Police Force and the Armed Services to bridge the gaps in human resourcing for security.
Improve the salaries and welfare packages of the officers of the Nigerian Police and other Armed Services.
Take Back Governance to the Grassroots by Restoring the Autonomy of Local Government Councils.
Fix and clean up our Broken Politics to empower Nigerians to Demand Political Accountability — Undertake Fundamental Reform of the Electoral Process.
MANAGEMENT OF NIGERIA’S NATURAL RESOURCES
Stop and Reverse Privatization of Public Enterprises and Assets. Reverse the sale of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.
Our Local Refineries must work! Stop the Shameful 100% Importation of Petrol and other refined Petroleum Products. We say ‘NO’ to perpetual increase in petrol price! Enough is Enough!
We want to know EXACTLY how much refined petroleum products are consumed daily in Nigeria. We want to know EXACTLY how many barrels of Crude Oil we produce daily.
We demand environmental preservation, integrity, renewal, responsibility and sustainability in all extractive industry sites all over Nigeria.
We call for adequate compensation and beneficiation for all mineral producing communities in Nigeria.
INDUSTRIALIZATION OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY:
We demand world class public infrastructure including double carriage highways that link every capital city in Nigeria; expansion of standard guage railways; reliable cum affordable public electricity supply, standard; expansion of standard rail tracks, upgrade of airport facilities, improvement of inland waterways; laying of fiber optics lines to facilitate access to affordable internet, data and land line services in Nigeria.
Pursuit of economic development and reduction of mass unemployment and poverty through industrialization, promotion of knowledge economy and efficient service sectors.
PHYSICAL SECURITY, SOCIAL PROTECTION & GOOD GOVERNANCE
We demand that Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution on socio-economic rights of Nigerians be made justiciable.
Provide Jobs for Nigerian Youths. Stop criminalizing our youths – an idle mind is devil’s workshop.
Payment of Unemployment Benefits to unemployed Nigerians especially youths as demanded by Section 16 (2) (d) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
Extend Quality Social Protection Coverage to the vulnerable.
Recruit quality hands into the Police Force and the Armed Services to bridge the gaps inhuman resourcing for security.
Improve the salaries and welfare packages of the personnel of the Nigerian Police and other Armed Services.
Take Back Governance to the Grassroots by Restoring the Autonomy of Local Government Councils.
Fix and clean up our Broken Politics to empower Nigerians to Demand Political Accountability – Undertake Fundamental Reform of the Electoral Process.
