President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday in Abuja called on organised labour to complement Federal Government’s efforts in fighting corruption in the country, noting that perpetrators of corruption are senior and junior members of labour unions.
Jonathan, who made the call at the Centenary May Day 2013 held at Eagle Square, however, called on the labour unions to organise a peer review programme with the objective of checking corruption and corrupt tendencies.
The President said such a programme would complement several efforts of the government in fighting the menace.
“Labour has been in the forefront of demanding for good governance and increased actions against corruption, and these issues are being vigorously tackled on various fronts.
“Prosecutions are being pursued in matters arising from fuel subsidy fraud, embezzlement of pension funds and other serious long-standing malpractices which have been demystified by this administration.
“Giving that some of these perpetrators are senior and junior members of labour unions, greater attention to peer review actions on the part of labour will be much appreciated,” he said.
Jonathan said the administration was leaving no stone unturned to upgrade the welfare of workers both in the private and public sectors.
“There is also a policy framework in place that will facilitate better relations between employers of labour and the government,’’ he said.
Jonathan called on labour to support government’s transformation agenda, which he said was geared toward creating jobs and wealth, and ensuring a better deal for Nigerians.
He said government was committed to creating a politically stable environment in which economic activities would flourish.
The President said the valuable contributions and sacrifices of the organised labour had assisted the government to achieve significant reforms in all sectors.
He extolled “the resilience and contributions of past labour leaders like Pa Michael Imodu and Pascal Bayfau, both of blessed memory’’.
Jonathan assured that government would continue to associate with the labour unions as they continue to play their roles in the nation-building process.(NAN)
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