Kogi State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has called for a more formidable coalition with Non Governmental Organizations to fight any form of government inhuman policies towards workers.

NLC State Chairman, Comrade Gabriel Amari made the call in Lokoja at one day retreat organised for members of the Council and it’s affiliates in conjunction with Rajans-Global Ventures Limited.

Speaking on the topic; “Building Synergies Between Trade Unions, Workers’ Associations And Civil Society Organisations in Kogi State, the Labour leader said the need became imperative to combat all forms of oppression and oppressive tendencies by employers of labour on its workforce.

He restated the resolve of the Organised Labour in the State to continued to partner with NGOs to make it’s collective bargaining power stronger to achieve set goals.

On the economy downturn in the Country, Comrade Amari said the Union is not resting on its oars in it’s dialogue with Government at all levels to bring relief to the workforce including indefinite strike action if other options fail.

He charged all participants of the retreat to take the message back to thier respective Unions on the need for more collaboration with the Organised Labour and CSOs in a bid for a better society and a greater nation.

In his paper presentation, the Executive Director, Initiative For Grassroots Advancement In Nigeria, Hamza Aliyu titled; Civil Society-Organised Labour Collaborations: Importance and Challenges, said the need for synergy is occasioned on the need to advocate for workers’ rights, collective bargaining strength, addressing social justice and inequality among others with Organised Labour to achieve set goals.

He however said the synergy has been hampered hitherto by political interference, fragmentation of both Labour Unions and the CSOs, Resource Constraints and Government responses which affected outcome of past engagement but called for a renewed partnership as well towards addressing social justice issues, promoting fair labor practices by working together.

Also in his presentation, the MD/CEO of Rajans-Global Ventures Limited, Comrade Rajan Suleiman titled; ” Labour Movement And The Political System Of Society: Imperatives For Building Synergies Between The Trade Unions And Civil Society Organisations In Nigeria, said the synergy would strengthen the powers of the Labour Movement in the State with Non-State actors coming under one umbrella to achieve set goals.

He urged the NLC and TUC with other none state actors to develop a ” Kogi State Workers’ Charter of Demands” to engaged and interface with all Gubernatorial Candidates in the forth coming elections to inculcate the Charter in thier manifestoes in order to implement such when voted into office for betterment of the workforce in Kogi State.

Goodwill messages was also delivered by Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina for KONGONET..