UNions

Union across the states of Nigeria held rallies to celebrate Workers’ Day on Sunday with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) coordinating.

The Lagos chapter of NLC assured the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of their utmost support in his bid to get the second term in office.

Comrade Agnes Sessi, Chairman NLC Lagos Chapter, on behalf of hundreds of workers, gave the assurance in her address at the Worker’s Day Commemoration on Sunday at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

The event with theme: “Labour Politics And New Quest For Good Governance And Development In Nigeria” had in attendance members of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

According to Sessi, “This year’s workers day is a unique one as it coincides with Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

She commended Sanwo-Olu on being the first state to implement the payment of minimum wage to the workers.

She however noted that the harsh economic conditions had already eroded the euphoria of the minimum wage.

The NLC Lagos Chairman lamented that Transportation fares are skyrocketing, prices of food had increased, increase in house rents had become unbearable.

“The high cost for of living has totally eroded the gains of the minimum wage. We therefore ask for help in cushioning the adverse effects of the economic situations so that people could live up to their responsibilities.

Commenting on the 2023 election, the NLC Chairman said: On behalf of the workers in Lagos who represent more than 50 per cent of the voting population, we hereby support your second term in office.

“We the workers are supporting you because you are the hope of the masses. worker’s in Lagos stand with you.

Also speaking, the Lagos TUC Chairman, Comrade Olugbenga Ekundayo, charged all workers to be involved and proactive in the electioneering process.

He said: “elections are drawing near, the union would not sit back but be fully involved.

According to him, “The day of reckoning is near, we shall be involved and unveil those who we will be supporting.”

Ekundayo however, commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu for his commitment and open door policies to workers adding that the state has what it takes and should harness its resources in order to be a world class State.

He applauded the governor for priotising workers and pensioners welfare while urging him to provide free bus rides and free health care services for retirees.

The Lagos TUC Chairman also advised workers on the need to give their all for the growth and development of the nation.

 The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) assured the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of their utmost support in his bid to get the second term in office.

Comrade Agnes Sessi, Chairman NLC Lagos Chapter, on behalf of hundreds of workers, gave the assurance in her address at the Worker’s Day Commemoration on Sunday at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

In Jigawa, NLC commended the state government for its efforts towards the improvement of worker’s welfare in the state.

The NLC Chairman in the state, Mr Sunusi Alasan, gave the commendation during a press conference to commemorate the 2022 Workers Day, in Dutse on Sunday.

“The NLC will use this occasion to acknowledge efforts made the government of the day towards the improvement of workers’ welfare and point out areas where we feel more needs to be done.

“We want commend the Jigawa government for maintaining the prompt payment of monthly salary and pension as at when due and the regular employment in the health and education sectors.

“Equally commendable is the implementation of promotion of teachers to GL 16. Labour also acknowledges the upgrading of 18 Primary

Healthcare Centres to General Hospitals, as well as upgrading of 280 Basic Primary Health Clinics to Primary Health Centers,” Alasan said.

He, however called on the state government to expedite action on the implementation of pension increase in the state as contained in the proposal submitted to the state by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), through the NLC.

The chairman also called on the state government to include the NUP in the board of trustees of the Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme, as a major stakeholder.

Alasan further tasked the state government on the payment of salary arrears of nurses and midwives, who he said are working tirelessly across the state to ensure that the lofty goals of the government in and the health sector, are achieved.

According to him, there is the need for the government to employ massively health, education and other sectors of the state civil service.

Alasan said the gesture would fill the gap created by mass retirement, as well as help augment contributions into the contributory pension fund.

“The government should also implement the 65 years retirement age for primary and secondary school teachers, as well as non-teaching staff in tertiary institutions in the state.

“Other demands are implementation of promotion of teachers and health workers to GL 16 even if there no vacancies for directorship and conversion of JTeach staff who excelled in their assignments to permanent and pensionable status to enable them settle down as educators for the benefit of their students and state.

“Among the demands also is for the government to address the delay in the promotion of health workers in the local government councils.

“And while hoping that the government will look into the issued raised, we want enjoin our members to continue to give their best at our various places of work so that collectively move the state forward,” Alasan said.

He added that the theme of 2022 May Day, ‘Labour, Politics and the Quest for Good Governance and Development, is timely, as it contextualises the mood of the nation, the challenges facing the motherland and the role of workers in advancing a solution.

“This is so especially in light of the approaching 2023 general election”.

Responding, the Special Assistant to Gov. Muhammad Badaru on Labour Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed, commended the Union for observing the day despite the fasting and preparations for Sallah celebration.

Ahmed, who lauded the cordial relationship existing between the state executive and the NLC, promised to inform the the Governor about all demands made by the union for prompt consideration and implementation.

Report from Adamawa said  NLC commended the state government for the release of ₦2.8 billion naira for the payment of gratuity in the year  2021 and 2022.

Comrade, Emanuel Fashe, NLC Chairman in the state made the recommendation on behalf of the organised labour  at the 2022 Workers celebration day held on Sunday in Yola.

Fashe said that workers struggle for the pursuant of their demands in the state has yielded more benefits and harmonious working relationship with the government.

“Workers struggle towards ensuring their demands in the state has yielded positive results and created harmonious working relationship with Government.

“As I’m talking to you, State Government in 2021 and 2022 has released the sum of ₦2.8 billion naira for the payment of gratuity.

“Also, State Government has allocated 600 Units of houses from Governor Ahmadu Fintiri Housing Estate to Workers  to ease their accommodation problem,” Fashe said.

He noted that as part of  cordial working relationship with government, the state government has approved the promotion of Primary School Teachers which was stagnant for the past 15 years.

According to the NLC Chairman, the state government havr employed 1,113 Health workers and 2,000 secondary school  teachers across the state and approved for the immediate payment of their salaries.

In his remarks, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri expressed his administration satisfaction over good working relationship with the workers.

The NLC in Cross River on Sunday called on Gov. Ben Ayade to implement workers’ promotion from 2016 till date.

Chairman of NLC in the state, Mr Ben Ukpepi, made the call in Calabar during Workers’ Day celebration at U.J Esuene Stadium.

Ukpepi also called on the state government to as a matter of urgency, implement the minimum wage for workers in the state.

He said that the failure of the state government to implement the promotion of civil servants in the state and the minimum wage had become very worrisome.

According to him, workers in the state deserve their full right of promotion and the benefits that comes with it, hence it was important for the state government to urgently implement it.

“Workers’ Day such as this, provides an opportunity for appraisal of the existing relationship between government and workers.

“It is on this premise that we use this occasion to remind government of pending unresolved issues stated in the memorandum of understanding between the state government and organised labour.

“That the failure to implement promotion of deserving civil servants from 2016 till date is worrisome. The full implementation of minimum wage is still pending, we pray that Gov. Ayade does the needful.

“Also, the annual increment steps of both state and local government workers is yet to be restored.

“Labour demand the payment of hazard allowance and the 30 per cent balance payment of consolidated health salary structure to medical and health workers in the state,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of Trade Union Congress in the state, Mr Monday Ogbodum, said that Nigerian workers were facing numerous challenges, ranging from poor wages, casualisation and redundancy.

Ogbodum called on the state government to uplift the embargo on employment with a view to give room for qualified graduates to be recruited into the state civil service.