The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),
on Tuesday in Abuja said the South African Government should be held
responsible for the xenophobic attacks in that country.
This was contained in statement
signed by Dr Ayuba Wabba, President of the NLC.
According to the statement, it does
not matter who incites the violence because the attacks lack any sane
justifications.
“It is 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 faults.
“They should be seen as partners in
the developmental strides of the country.
“The challenge of unemployment of
South African citizens is not originated by the presence of the immigrants,”
Wabba said in the statement.
It said South African government
should develop policies that could generate employment for its citizens as
quickly as possible to promote peace and economic growth.
The statement urged the government
of South Africa to move faster than ever before with steps that would
immediately restore peace and harmony as the situation could generate negative
international reactions.
According to the statement, there
are South African businesses in other countries, especially the originating
countries of the immigrants.
“These businesses are vulnerable to
severe danger if positive steps are not immediately taken.
“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.
“This could strain the cohesiveness
of the AU and also subvert the spirit and purpose of its existence.
“The killings are barbaric,
irresponsible, and 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 statement said.
It added that the rest of the world
should not be given the impression that those they supported had taken
subterranean decision to attack citizens of their countries in return.
“We sympathise and condole with the
victims and families of those who have lost their lives in these mindless
attacks.
“We call on our counterpart, the
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), to offer decisive
interventions that will ensure the protection of lives and properties,” it
said.
The statement said that immigrant
workers were covered by conventions of the International Labour Organisation
which states that injuries to migrant workers were injuries to all workers all
over the world.
“We call on the Federal Government
of Nigeria to take all necessary steps to ensure that every Nigeria living in
South Africa is fully protected.”
According to the statement, should
the attacks continue, they should be evacuated back home for rehabilitation and
re-engagement.
“We fully support all steps taken so
far by our government.
“Indeed, we support any positive
step the government will take in furtherance of the protection of all Nigerians
living in South Africa and their interests,” it said.
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