Xenophobic attacks: NLC, PENGASSAN task South Africa govt

Organised Labour has said the South African Government should be held responsible for the safety of all immigrants in the country.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), in a separate statement condemning the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the Republic of South Africa, RSA, noted that the attacks lacked any sane justifications.

The NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in the statement, said it was even more absurd that the attacks are directed against Africans from countries that played active roles in the struggle against apartheid.
“That the immigrants left their countries to do legitimate businesses or engage in legitimate employment in South Africa is certainly not their fault. They should be seen as partners in the developmental strides of the country”, the Congress said.
The NLC President stated that the challenges of unemployment of South African citizens is not caused by the presence of the immigrants and the South African government should develop policies that can generate employment for its citizens as quickly as possible as this will help promote peace and economic growth in favour of the country.
He called on the government of the Republic of South Africa to move quickly more than ever before with steps that could immediately restore peace and harmony as the situation
is capable of generating negative international reactions.post by expdonaloaded.blogspot.com
Comrade Wabba reasoned that there are South African businesses in other countries, especially in the originating countries of the immigrants, adding that these businesses are vulnerable to severe danger if positive steps are not immediately taken.
The NLC stated further, “South Africa, like all independent African countries is a member of the African Union which also has the capacity to exert strong intervention before the situation degenerates as this could strain the cohesiveness of the AU and also subvert the spirit and purpose of its existence.
“The killings are barbaric, irresponsible, archaic and fall short of the global decent standards expected of a country like South Africa. Besides, South Africa is the highest beneficiary of international solidarity during the anti apartheid struggles. The rest of the world should not be given the impression that those they supported have taken subterranean decision to attack citizens of their countries in return.”
“We call on our counterpart, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU, to offer decisive interventions that ensures the protection of lives and properties as immigrant workers are covered by conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), to which the labour centre is also affiliated, like the NLC. Injuries to migrant workers are injuries to all workers all over the world”, the NLC maintained.
In a statement signed by PENGASSAN National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Emmanuel Ojugbana, the union noted that the disturbing report on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa has aggravated to the level of heinous killings of fellow Africans and foreigners which leaves much to be desired..expdonaloaded.blogs
Adding further, PENGASSAN asserted, “There should be no basis to justify any xenophobic act in South Africa which the world is greatly admiring as a model in the handling of multiracial state status.
“By our divergent background and orientation, the process of inter-relating and building consensus is key for harmonization of conflictual views and standpoints. Conflicts and disputes are sometimes inevitable, but must be managed in a manner that lives, properties and interests would not be put in jeopardy.
“The South African Government on its part must ensure that the xenophobic act is expediently and permanently apprehended and never should it happen again. All steps and actions required to pacify and appease the affected Countries and their Nationals must be followed with strong assurances of our joint faith and with due regards for our strong ties and bonds as non-discriminatory black race.
“Strict adherence to the rule of law and due process must be followed and exhausted in dealing with our unresolved differences. Culprits must be brought to book to demonstrate to the world that there is no complicity on the part of South African Government.”
The union’s spokesperson therefore called on the Federal Government to urgently put in place machinery that could adequately develop the nation’s economy, create enabling environment, opportunities for gainful employment particularly in the oil and gas sector and economic empowerment, and check brain drain, human and capital flight to encourage Nigerians to reside in the country.