What workers want from this govt –Labour unions

Nigeria Labour unions who join their counterparts worldwide to mark this year’s May Day celebration has used the period to draw the attention of governments at all levels, to their needs.

In their different statements marking the celebration, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC), among others, demanded that the governments at the federal, state and local levels should review the minimum wage of workers, improve security, clear backlog of salaries, reduce the rate of unemployment and curb corruption.

NLC president, Ayuba Waba, in his statement said, “As usual, we are pushing for the interest of workers, not only workers, but the interest of the Nigerian public, from social and economic angle to security angle, down to issue of strategic institutions, like power. All of these will actually be accommodated in our address.

“All issues pertaining to development will also be addressed because it’s when the economy is doing well that citizens of the country will also do well, and side by side with the issue of good governance. But most importantly, the well-being of the worker will be pushed to the front burner because if workers create wealth then, they need better attention.”

On his part, ULC president, Joe Ajaero, decried the situation were government had remained adamant to the agitation by Nigerian workers to have their wages reviewed.

“This is why, as a labour movement, we need to be on the streets to insist that working conditions of the people must be improved. ULC deeply appreciates and congratulates all workers for their continued perseverance against all odds, to continue creating the wealth which has sustained this nation within the ambit of the current unrelenting pressures of crass neglect and marginalization by the impenitent owners of capital, supported by their collaborators in the corridors of power.

“Once again, we urge government at all levels to address, among others, personal insecurity, unemployment, hunger, deprivations, fear, poverty, homelessness and, much more, overwhelming exclusion and alienation of increasing number of the masses from public social services and infrastructure.”

The National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber and Non-Metallic Products Employees, NUCFRLANMPE, Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union, RATTAWU and some others also made similar calls.

However, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, in a May Day message to workers through Olowookere Samuel, the ministry’s deputy director press, extoled the spirit of Nigerian workers, who irrespective of the present economic challenges in the country has remained hopeful of a better tomorrow.

He said in the message, “The Federal Government is not unaware of the economic challenges facing Nigerian workers in the public, the private and informal sectors of the economy. We appreciate your resilience and hope for better days ahead.

“Mr. President is committed to the enhancement of workers’ welfare, through programmes like the Federal Integrated Staff Housing Scheme, FISH, creation of enabling environment to stimulate the economy with the aim of improving the social-economic well-being of Nigeria in all sectors of the economy.

“As we celebrate today, I urge Nigerian workers not to relent in their support to the Change Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Gsent Talks.....Takking You Further