Daily Independent (Lagos)
Sylvester Enoghase
17 November 2008
The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) in collaboration with five Nigerian trade unions at the weekend, organised a seminar on poverty alleviation programmes for Nigerian workers.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian unions, the National President, Association of Senior Staff of Bank, Insurance and Financial Institution (ASSBIFI), Sanni Adeshina Lasisi, noted that the seminar has provided a platform for trade union organisations from different social backgrounds and ideologies to exchange views on poverty alleviations for Nigerian workers
"This seminar has provided opportunities for trade union organizations from different social backgrounds and ideologies to coordinate their stands rise above their differences and seek common development through multi-tier, multi-channel dialogue and communication on an equal footing," he said.
According to Lasisi: "The archives of activities of WFTU abundantly shows records of huge leaps in gaining concessions for trade union and workers' rights, fair employment practices, wages and promotion of workers' unity, fraternity and solidarity for world peace, growth and development."
Lasisi said the ASSBIFI, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, National Council of Informal Sector Association of Nigeria, National Union of Air Transport Employees and National Union of Hotels and Personal Services Workers, collaborated to organize a two-day initiative seminar on 'Basic needs and reducing poverty for all' between November 14 and 15, 2008, in Lagos.
"This is a good beginning, so to speak. I believe that through the combined effort of each and everyone here, the seminar will attain a greater success and play an active role in stimulating a healthy development of the international trade union movement and establishing a new, equitable order in the international trade union movement," he said.
The ASSBIFI boss noted that the WFTU was established in the wake of the Second World War to bring together trade unions across the world in a single international organization, much like the United Nations.
"It maintains its headquarters in Prague, Czech Republic, but focuses more on organizing regional federations of unions in the Third World, campaigning against imperialism, racism, poverty, environmental degradation and exploitation of workers under capitalism and in defense of full employment, social security, health protection, and trade union rights", he said.
He however said trade unions in Nigeria as part of their new efforts to advance international agenda, would henceforth develop working partnerships with national and industrial trade unions worldwide as well as with WFTU on poverty alleviations programmes
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