The celebration of May Day, last Wednesday, afforded workers all over the world a platform to review their situation. As usual, many governments across the globe used the opportunity to pledge renewed commitment to the welfare of workers.
A common thread that ran through the celebration in many countries was the condemnation of austerity measures and slave labour that have become the lot of workers in recent times.
At the Workers’ Day celebration at Eagle’s Square, Abuja, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Abdulwaheed Omar and the President-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Peter Esele, traded blames on the pervasive corruption that has stymied the Nigerian economy and sentenced workers to a regime of low wages that cannot provide a reasonable standard of living.
The president also lamented the nation’s economic growth without attendant job creation. Bemoaning the precarious economic situation of the country, Jonathan rightly observed that “until we create jobs; until Nigerians can wake up and find food to eat; until Nigerians who are sick can walk to hospitals and get treatment, the economic indices are meaningless to them.”
Nigerian workers also called on government to improve their welfare and address the problem of unemployment, especially youth unemployment.
They demanded enhanced conditions of work as well as an end to corruption and insecurity. Abdulwaheed Omar used the occasion to drum support for amnesty to the Boko Haram sect and asked the group to embrace dialogue.
Labour also urged the government to assure Nigerians that the fight against corruption is still on course through increased commitment to the effort.
We salute Nigerian workers for their resilience and hard work, especially in the face of the excruciating conditions under which they operate. It is sad that many state governors are yet to implement the minimum wage they promised their workers.
The same pitiable wages also obtain in a large segment of the organised private sector, where some workers are owed months of salary arrears and other benefits. It is not in doubt that the plight of Nigerian workers, whether in government or the private sector, is getting worse everyday while unemployment figures keep rising.
In fact, things are not looking good for Nigerian workers. The salaries of most workers are not enough to take care of their basic needs. Inflation and high cost of living take a daily toll on their income. House rents and transportation costs keep rising while wages have remained stagnant. The economic downturn has also impacted on the lifespan of Nigerians as average life expectancy now stands at about 47 years.
Many promises by both government and private employers have remained unfulfilled. Let all employers of labour strive to improve the working conditions of workers to enhance their productivity. Increase in wages should be regular.
It should not be given only when there is industrial unrest. Employers of labour should make the workplace conducive for all categories of workers by putting in place necessary working tools as well as adequate security.
In view of rising unemployment in the country, government should devise a welfare scheme that will take care of the unemployed, the aged and the less privileged.
The Workers’ Day celebration should be an occasion to think of new ways to improve the condition of workers and not an annual ritual for fine speeches and sloganeering. Let government do something concrete to reverse the pitiable condition of Nigerian workers.
