NOSA EGHAGHA
ABUJA, Nigeria – The organised labour has called on the government to always treat workers’ welfare as a priority when considering any policy decision.
In a speech delivered at the Pre-May Day Lecture in Abuja as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Workers Day celebration scheduled for Wednesday, the President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, said the welfare and interest of the people should be considered first in driving any government policy.
“People should be at the heart of every policy. Without making them.the centre of every government policy, the society suffers adversely,” President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero said.
The TUC President, represented by the Deputy President of the centre, Comrade Tommy Okon said the theme of the 2024 May Day celebration: “Workers First” is very significant because there is a need to put the people first, and to put the workers first in a very government policy.
“Today marks another turning point in history of trade union movement in this country. When we look at the theme of the 2024 Worker’s Day celebration,which is People First, that is very significant because we need to put the people first, we need to put the workers first and when you put the people first, you put your family first. This is what is called first line charge.
“Today, we have experienced various policy mismatch and summersaults where the people’s welfare are put at the bottom of the radar.
“A case in point was the increase in electricity tariff without following due process and without consultation with various stakeholders who would have been involved taking critical decisions that affect the lives of workers.”
Osifo pointed out that labour plays a very critical role in every productive venture, adding that to neglect the workers is to ignore the significant role such an important arm of production plays.
He attributed the existence of obsolete labour laws put in place since 2005 as the reason for many anti labour practices in the country, adding that the organised labour believes that something should be done urgently to address the outdated labour laws in order to maintain industrial harmony.
While declaring the event open, the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, represented by the Deputy President, Comrade Titus Amba said there was hardly anyone in the country today that is not aware of the hardship the people are facing.
“As leaders of Nigerian workers, it is pertinent for us to speak and continually draw attention to the plights of our members. We reaffirm our determination to championing the rights of the workers and people of this country.
“Peoples First” these two words encapsulates the essence of our struggle and the core of our vision for a just and equitable society” he said.
Ajaero said that the theme of the this year’s worker’s Day celebration reminds that behind every policy decision, every labour struggle and negotiation, there are workers and families whose lives are deeply imparted.
