President Jonathan Decries Frequent Strikes By Workers

[TGD]

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday deplored the recent spate of strikes by some labour and professional unions across the country.

In his remarks after signing into law the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Third Alteration Bill, 2010, which formally establishes the National Industrial Court in Abuja, Jonathan said strikes should only be a last resort when all other options for a negotiated settlement of industrial disputes have failed.

According to the President, "we must all imbibe a culture of negotiation and resort to constitutional means of resolving labour disputes if we are to sustainably grow our economy and ensure stability."

He urged the organised labour, employers of labour and employees in all sectors of the economy to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by constitutional safeguards like the National Industrial Court (NIC) for the peaceful resolution of industrial disputes "in the overall interest of our nation's growth and development."

Recalling that that he also signed a new Employees Compensation Act into law late last year, Jonathan said his formal assent to the bill establishing the National Industrial Court is a further affirmation of his administration's commitment to ensuring that the welfare of Nigerian workers in the formal and informal sectors are safeguarded at all times.

"It is my hope that with the constitutional establishment of the National Industrial Court, we have institutionalized the process for quick, fair and efficient resolution of disputes relating to labour, employment, industrial relations, workmen compensation, child labour, discrimination, pensions, health and safety in the workplace," the President said.

"This court is conferred with exclusive jurisdiction in those areas considered critical to the sustenance of our economic and industrial development.

"Its effective discharge of its mandate should serve not only to promote industrial harmony, but also to boost the confidence of both local and foreign direct investors in our national economy," he remarked.

His assent to the law was witnessed by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Senate Leader, Chief Teslim Folarin, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, and  Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.

The signing of the bill put to rest the controversy that had trailed the court's status since its establishment.

NIC's President, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, had been in the vanguard of the struggle since he assumed the headship the court.  He had at different fora called for the passage of the bill, which lingered with the legislators.

Tthe Senate had in December last year passed the third amendment to the 1999 Constitution, in order to enshrine the establishment and operation of the court in the constitution, as a court of superior record amongst courts in the federation.  The court was established through an Act in 2006, but the National Assembly said it had not performed optimally because it was not listed in the nation's constitution.

Source: Jonathan Decries Frequent Strikes By Workers