The Nigeria Labour Congress, Radio Television and Theatre Art Workers Union are ready to partner Nigeria Union of Journalists to ensure that issues affecting Nigerian journalists are addressed.
The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the new executive of Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria.
The executive was elected last week in Abuja.
Wabba said it would be criminal to assume that once a journalist was given identity card by his or her organization, the condition of service had been met.
He said: “We must find a way of ensuring that our journalists work in dignity because we need to create a new source of information.
“All of us have come to realise that it is not everything that you read in the social media that is objective.
“In fact, in most cases, more than fifty percent (of the news on social media) is false information.
“Therefore, we must continue to remain focus and rely on you (mainstream media) as our own means of getting information.”
Ayuba assured members of LACAN of the commitment of labour to collaborate with the association, adding: “Let me also appreciate your commitment over the years.”
The NLC boss promised that congress would partner LACAN in ensuring that the struggles of Nigerian workers are heard and their welfare is not compromised.
Wabba said: “Your role is to ensure that our workers are heard; if you look at the trend of relationship within the tripod, the workers happen to be the weaklings.
“They do not have the resources, power and in most cases, they are the people being exploited and so, we need to give them a voice.
“Their (workers) stories need to be heard and I think it is important that you must continue to carry on with your work.”
In a lecture he delivered at the occasion, John Odah, the General Secretary, Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa, called for proper coordination of the association and its reportage of labour activities.
In the lecture entitled: “Labour and Media Relationship,” Odah urged the association not fabricate stories against the labour movement as a result of the current challenges facing the movement.
He said: “You must continue to educate and sensitise the masses in order for peace to reign in the movement.”
Odah also stressed the need for partnership between the media, the government, the employers and labour unions.
He decried lack of funding of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in carrying out its statutory duty as it concern factory inspection.
He urged the media to educate and sensitise the National Assembly and the nation on the need for factory inspection to ensure occupational Health and Safety in factories and other organisations.
In his remarks, LACAN Chairman, Oche Michael, promised that the new executive would play its role to move the association forward.
Michael said: “As critical stakeholders, labour reporters have the opportunity to report issues affecting the country, set agenda for the government and also proffer solutions through our reportage.”