Solidarity Message - Nigeria Labour Congress over the ongoing Public Sector Workers in S.A 14-06-07

 

SOLIDARITY MESSAGE TO COSATU FROM THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS OVER THE ONGOING PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS' IN SOUTH AFRICA

June 13, 2007
Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi
General Secretary
Congress of South African Trade Unions
C O S A T U
1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets
Braamfontein, 2017
Johannesburg, 2000
SOUTH AFRICA

Dear Comrade,

SOLIDARITY MESSAGE FROM THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS

I wish to convey to COSATU the solidarity and best wishes of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the ongoing strike by public service workers throughout your country.

We applaud the resilience of COSATU and its affiliates on this matter, which has powerfully put on the national agenda a long-standing necessity for wide-ranging improvements in wages and conditions of public service workers. These include the 10% salary increase over a single term commencing on the 01 April of each year, increase in the employer contribution in Medical Aid to be in line with the Medical Price Consumer Index, ensuring that the home owner allowance is brought in line with a home value of R300 000 and filling of all vacant substantive posts with immediate effect and create vacancies to meet the demand of the public service.

Having commenced a sustained campaign for wage improvements in Nigeria, we in the NLC appreciate the import of your struggle and know that its outcome is critical to addressing the poverty among the working population.

We share your outrage over the approach of the Government of South Africa to the demands by COSATU, especially the notices of dismissal issued to workers involved in the strike. The poor offer of a 6.5% increase by the Government is also highly unhelpful in the circumstance.

Please, convey our solidarity, best wishes and support to COSATU's national office-bearers, leaders of public sector affiliates, your network of shop stewards, militants and members. Out thoughts are with you at these challenging moments.

Solidarity for ever!

Yours sincerely,
For and on behalf of the Nigeria Labour congress:

John ODAH
General Secretary

Olaitan Oyerinde
Head of International Department
Nigeria Labour Congress (Homepage: www.nlcng.org)
10th Floor, Labour House, Central Business District, Abuja.
E-mail: olai...@nlcng.org & olaitanoyeri...@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: 234 9 2344342
Fax: 234 9 2343345
Mobile: 234 80 555 02 199