Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has tasked the South African Government to provide adequate security for all immigrants resident in the country, especially in the wake of xenophobic attack on foreigners’ lives and properties in the country.

A statement released in Abuja yesterday by the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, described the killings as barbaric, irresponsible, archaic, saying that it falls short of the global decent standards expected of a country like South Africa.

They asked the South African government to bring to a stop, the barbaric act irrespective of who might have incited the violence.

“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” the statement said.

The labour union advised South Africans to see and welcome other Africans as partners in the developmental strides of the country, stressing that the challenges of unemployment which is not peculiar to South African citizens are not caused by the presence of the immigrants, thus challenging the South African government to develop policies that can generate employment for its citizens as quickly as possible to promote peace and economic growth in favour of the country.

“We urge them 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. There are South African businesses in other countries, especially in 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 as this could strain the cohesiveness of the AU and also subvert the spirit and purpose of its existence ” the statement declared.

The labour union leader promised to liaise with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) to offer decisive interventions that would ensure the protection of lives and properties, noting that immigrant workers are covered by conventions of the International Labour.

While sympathising with the victims of the attack, the labour union urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to take all necessary steps to ensure that every Nigeria living in South Africa, old or young are fully protected and should the attacks continue, they should be evacuated back home for rehabilitation and re-engagement.

•Photo shows Wabba.

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