Organised Labour has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure genderbalance in the constitution of his in his second term cabinet, while also replicating same at all levels of government.
The chairman of IndustriAll Global Union, Nigeria chapter, Babatunde Goke Olatunji, in his address at the celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, themed “Balance for Better,” said maintaining gender balance in all phases of the socio-economic and political space encourages inclusiveness, which is pivotal to collective growth and development.
He said, “A balanced world is a better world and as such we need to celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements and also raise awareness against biasness and discrimination along gender divide. Above all, we need to take action for gender equality.
“Our patriarchal stereotype is no longer fashionable; the only difference between men and women is just a biological role, which thus takes a dominant part of human existence. Therefore, equality should be promoted, thus availing balance for better,” he said.
Olatunji, who is also the president of the National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees, said workers at the Nigerian chapter of IndustriALL Global Union will support any policy that promotes gender balance and also engage in advocacy towards gender-balanced Nigeria.
“It behooves on all of us here present to mount pressure on the stakeholders in the socio-economic and political space of Nigeria to ensure equality in the distribution and or allocation of resources and opportunities,” he said.
On the challenges bedevilling the chemical sector, Olatunji said influx of foreign product was killing the sector, as 10,000 jobs have been lost within two years as a result of this.
According to him, the increasing menace of dumping of products from foreign countries into the Nigerian market is seriously undermining the competitiveness of the nation’s already distressed manufacturing sector.
He said products from other country, such as China, are heavily subsidised for export, which makes it possible for them to be sold at much cheaper rates in Nigeria than similar products that are manufactured locally in the country.
Olatunji urged government to strengthen the regulatory agencies so as to curb the menace.
In the same vein, Issa Aremu, vice president, IndustriALL, said, “All workers should enjoy equal rights. Sadly all female and young workers still remain subject to discrimination. They are being denied their fundamental rights. IndustriALL fights their discrimination at work and union by promoting their fairer and stronger participation in trade unions.”
He noted that this year’s theme serves as a wake up call towards equal gender representation.
“It focuses on the need for all to be involved in the fight for gender equality. Balance is not a woman’s issue but a global and human issue. Today we should raise the voice for a gender balance in the politics and governance, boardrooms, government, workplace and trade unions,” he added