By Sylvester Enoghase – Theme Editor, Economy
As the global youth unemployment rate reached almost 13 per cent in December 2014, organised labour, under the aegis of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called on the incoming Government of President Mohammadu Buhari to strengthen actions to support the nation’s economic recovery to spur employment generation in the Nigeria.
This call is hinged on the recent clarion call report by International Labour Organisation (ILO) Post-2015 Agenda for sustainable development to improve the living and working conditions for all people worldwide, and to protect the natural resource base and the earth’s systems, which provide the basis for future generations.
Describing the need to strengthen growth prospects as a key priority for the nation’s economy, the NLC’s President, Comrade Ayuba Waba also called for the renewed efforts of the Buhari led Government to create an enabling environment for private sector to thrive, with a special focus on youth employment.
According to Ayuba, the latest International Labour Organisation (ILO) data on ‘World Employment and Social Outlook – January 2015’ report shows that the global youth unemployment rate reached almost 13 per cent ,and a further increase is expected in the coming years.
“We call for the Buhari led Government to spur for employment as youth unemployment in the country is a pending assignment for his led Government to be taken as a priority”.
“Creating jobs for them is not only critical for economic growth and productivity, it is a moral argument and a fundamental matter of social justice in the country”, he however added
Also, the TUC’s President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, who called for ambitious reforms in all the sectors of the economy to create job opportunities, said the Buhari led Government needs a more dynamic and more inclusive economic policies to revive the nation’s economy.
He said: “As the rebased nation’s economy continues to grow on the surface, but we are worried that we are still miles away from pre-crisis levels, especially when it comes to employment opportunities for the unemployed youths in the country. The incoming Government needs an ambitious reform to create more productive, more dynamic and more inclusive economic policies to survive Nigeria”
Kaigama referred to the development of the UN’s Post-2015 Development Agenda as a unique opportunity to reinforce the commitment of the Buhari led Government to end extreme poverty and hunger, and to build a sustainable development framework for Nigerians.
The TUC President also advocated for a sustainable development scheme that would promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth for full and productive employment and decent work for all in the country.
He however highlighted the role of trade as an important driver of economic growth, development and employment, the commitment to combat climate change and promote green growth that would boost employment generation in the country.
Source : Independent