Workers in Lagos have urged the state government to ensure their welfare is prioritized in the decision making process.
The workers made the call during the Workers Day celebration, with the theme, “People First”, held on Wednesday at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workers, represented by various unions, came out en masse to celebrate the day.
The Chairman, Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Mr Ismail Adejumo, told NAN that a living wage was top on the list of workers’ expectation.
“We want to congratulate and appreciate Nigerian Workers on this very auspicious occasion of international workers day celebration,” he said.
According to him, this year’s celebration is unique, with workers having great expectations from the employers due to the current harsh economic situation in the country.
“Most people now cannot survive because of this prevailing economic situation and we are using this occasion to do a retrospect, and call on the government to cushion the effects of this harsh economy.
“We are appealing to them to give us a living wage, not just a minimum wage.”
Adejumo commended the Federal Government for approving the increase in the Consolidated Public Salary Structure (CONPSS) among others.
He said, “We appreciate the government of Federal Republic of Nigeria, which has magnanimously appreciated the feelings and pains of Nigerian workers to come up with increase in our CONPSS.
“This is to give credence to the fact that there are disparities in wages in some sectors; some are earning fabulously, while some are earning little.
“This is a great injustice and President Bola Tinubu has magnanimously approved that, and we appreciate that and thank him.
“We want him to look deeply on the genuine template or amounts that will be the new national minimum wage that will cut across all sectors.”
Also, a member of the National Association of Nigerian Footballers, Mr Kelvin Etemike, appealed to the government to raise the minimum wage of all workers.
According to him, such will boost the confidence and motivate workers to be more productive.
“We want the government to help workers in this country. In spite of the fuel scarcity, workers still turned out in their numbers to commemorate this day.
“ This goes to show that workers are resilient and are ready to put in their best, as long as their welfare is taken into consideration, “ he said.
Earlier, in her speech, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Council, Mrs Funmi Sessi, said the council had been in the forefront of fighting for workers welfare and improved condition of service.
Sessi commended the state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, for the interventions to cushion the effect of the economic problems and ameliorate the suffering of the workers in the state.
“We all witnessed his policy on the last reduction in BRT transportation; setting up of discounted food mart; three days working policy; payment of 20 per cent increment in salary; full implementation of N35,000 Wage Award as approved by Federal Government, prompt payment of salary.
“He has been consistent in the distribution of food palliatives to vulnerable homes through EKO CARES; in fact, the Lagos food bank programme has been very effective for all to see and feel.
“But the fact remains that the palliatives and temporary increase in worker’s salary are not enough, as the inflation keeps biting and rendering the idea defeated.
“We need more proactive permanent measures to address the root of the problem, “ Sessi said.
Also, the state Chairman, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Mr Gbenga Ekundayo, said that Lagos residents faced significant struggles due to the high cost of living in spite of the state being the economic powerhouse of the nation,
He said: “The removal of fuel subsidy and the poorly timed devaluation of the currency have only exacerbated the situation, leading to soaring prices of goods and services.
“Housing costs have reached unprecedented levels, making it increasingly difficult for workers to afford decent accommodation within reasonable proximity to their workplaces.
“ As representatives of the Trade Union, we vehemently oppose measures that undermine the welfare of the masses.
“We stand united in our commitment to mobilize against anti-people policies and demand immediate action to alleviate the burdens faced by the working class.
“Specifically, we call for the immediate reversal of the last electricity tariff hikes and urge the government to prioritize policies that benefit the majority of people, not just the elite.” (NAN)
