By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has sounded the alarm over mounting job losses in Nigeria’s textile sector, where manufacturers are reeling under escalating production costs and employees face harsh working conditions.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, TUC President Comrade Festus Osifo urged federal, state, and local governments to urgently intervene and revitalize the ailing industry, which historically served as a major engine of employment for millions of Nigerians.
“The textile industry used to employ millions of people, but today we are seeing layoffs because the cost of production is very high, particularly electricity, generation and gas,” he said.
He explained that rising production expenses were affecting the ability of manufacturers to remain competitive, with higher costs eventually passed on to consumers.
Osifo also linked the challenges facing industries to the wider need for policies that would support production, preserve existing jobs and create opportunities for more Nigerians.
The concerns came as workers marked the World Day for Decent Work, on October 7, which draws attention to fair wages, secure employment, workers’ rights and better workplace conditions.
Osifo condemned the spread of casualisation and cheap labour, alongside the use of child labour, and called for stronger enforcement of workplace standards.
“There is a lot of casualisation, cheap labour and even child labour, and the Ministry of Labour has to ensure that workplaces are inspected and that we have decent work for our people,” he stressed.
He urged the Ministry of Labour to strengthen inspections and ensure that employers provide working conditions that meet decent-work standards.
The TUC president maintained that protecting workers requires stronger enforcement alongside efforts to revive industries capable of providing stable and sustainable employment.
PersecondNews correspondent at the briefing also reports that the union also called for greater attention to the manufacturing sector, warning that continued high production costs could further undermine businesses and put more jobs at risk.