MAY DAY: Nigerian workers unsure of future —Organised labour

As workers countdown to the celebration of workers’ day worldwide, organized labour in Nigeria do not see reasons it should be celebrated, even as it described the living conditions of workers in the country as ‘bad’.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), during a joint press briefing at the weekend in Abuja, stated that Nigerian workers are living in worse conditions, which, is as a result of the economic and political upheaval in the country, and most workers are on the verge of losing faith in governments’ numerous promises of a better future.

Chairman of the 2018 Joint May Day Committee, who is also the Deputy President of the NLC, Comrade Najeem Yasin, who spoke on behalf of the labour unions stressed that the evidences of the living conditions of workers are overwhelming and little is done to overcome the plights of workers in the country.

“There is overwhelming evidence to show that the living conditions of Nigerian workers and citizens have deteriorated in the past few years. To worsen the precarious condition that we workers have found ourselves is the absence of meaningful social cushioning especially by way of decent wages and dignified working conditions.

“Even the minimum wage promised by government is yet to materialize. The broader economic and political dynamics of our country continue to tempt many workers to lose faith and hope in the Nigerian promise”.

“It is under these dark clouds that we seek to inspire strength, confidence and hope in Nigerian workers and ordinary Nigerians who currently feel shortchanged,” he said.

On security, the Co- Chairman and Chairman TUC FCT chapter, Comrade Amodu Olayinka, said that organised labour was in partnership with all security operatives across the country to avoid a repeat of workers’ revolt as witnessed at the last May Day workers’ celebration.

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