…decries harassment against women in workplaces
Olaotan Falade
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Saturday bemoaned the harassment of women in the workplace, saying it was suicidal for Nigeria’s development.
It argued that such economic violence makes women and girls remain economically dependent on men by preventing them from gainful employment.
NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, stated these at Labour House, Abuja during the public presentation of a Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) participatory research report.
Wabba maintained that the ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 190 by the Federal Government, was the only solution to eradicate such inhumane treatment.
“For a country that already suffers from a huge gap between opportunities for males and females, it would be developmentally suicidal to allow gender-based violence steal the few available opportunities for our women to thrive and contribute to the development of society.”
The NLC boss urged Nigerians to continue to promote the importance of a work culture based on mutual respect and the dignity of the human being as a first-line defence and precaution against violence and harassment.
”This is the reason we must all join hands to eliminate poverty in our country, including working poverty. This is the reason we must promote social and industrial instruments such as the national minimum wage which seeks to emplace a minimal buffer against poverty.”
On her part, the Chairperson of NLC National Women Commission, Hajiya Salamatu Aliyu, described as worrisome, Nigeria’s refusal to ratify ILO C190, saying GBVH was adequately covered in international labour standards and treaties.
She said, ”The report being launched today is a milestone achievement in our struggle towards promoting the right of every person to work based on dignity and respect free from any form of violence and harassment.”
Credit: The News Guru.
