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Tag: Workers Day

  • Buhari committed to enhanced workers Welfare, says Ngige

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige has said that President Muhammadu Buhari was unequivocally committed to the enhancement of workers’ welfare and prosperity for all citizens, and appealed to workers to continue to support the government in this regard.

    He assured Nigerian workers that there were better days coming ahead for them.

    In his goodwill message to the Nigerian workers on this year’s Workers’ Day, the Minister recalled the historic role of the nation’s workforce across decades and urged it to further stand firm with President Muhammadu Buhari as he returns Nigeria to greatness.

    The Minister said “the cardinal objective of the present administration is the revival of the economy; enhancement of the security of the nation and zero tolerance for corruption. The Federal Government has so far covered a considerable millage notwithstanding teething challenges. I therefore solicit your continued support towards bringing these national goals to fruition.”

    The Minister urged workers to use the occasion of the May Day celebration to reminisce on the positive outcomes of the labour’s struggle for a better working rights and decent work environment. 

    “This is an administration that places a lot of premium on the welfare of workers and all citizenry and has done so in very transparent manner. Our openness is to provide enough window for all Nigerians to appreciate the state of the nation and the efforts of the government.

    “Our modest achievement in creating equable condition for job security and improved welfare for workers, as evident in the fact that no Federal civil or public servant has lost his or her job in the last three years of the administration despite economic downturn, as well as the on-going effort to give effect to a new national minimum wage easily bear out Federal Government’s commitment to the upliftment of the workforce.

     “This year’s celebration therefore presents an opportunity for a collective reflection on the contributions of the labour movement to national growth on the one hand and the steadfastness of the Buhari administration to the welfare of workers on the other.”

  • Workers’ Day: Obaseki lauds Edo workers, promises better days ahead

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has applauded workers in the state for their contributions in the drive for socio-economic development, noting that reforms being implemented across various sectors in the state will guarantee better days ahead for the state’s civil service.

    In a statement to mark Workers’ Day, observed every May 1, Obaseki said, “I salute the immense contributions of workers to the overall development of the state. Our workers are reflection of our unmatched creativity and high sense of industry.”

    The governor thanked the workers for their support to his administration’s policies and programmes, noting, “as we take stock of our collective input, outcomes and impact, I am proud to say that our modest achievements could not have been possible without your full support.”

    He urged workers not to relent in their effort to help develop the state, adding, “With workers’ continued cooperation, there will be no limit to how far we can go in transforming the Edo State public sector.

    “We are reconstructing and remodelling the state secretariat buildings so that we can give you a befitting work environment that is well equipped and dignifying. We remain committed to regular payment of workers’ salaries, pensioners’ entitlements and clearing of the backlog of pension arrears as well as regular promotions, which are non-negotiable.”

    Noting that reforms in pension management have eliminated the skirmishes witnessed in the past, he said, “The contributory pension scheme will put an end to the challenges associated with the old pension scheme. Pension after retiring from service will be paid regularly and without troubles.”

    According to him, the state has commenced training of workers to deepen their knowledge on problem-solving skills, as “the training would enable the migration of all tasks from the age-old analogue platform to Internet-enabled ICT platform to reduce the time spent on treating and processing files and responding to enquiries.”

    Obaseki stressed that the “over 2000 teachers who were trained on the use of technology-based teaching method, a component of Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) can now teach our students in public schools with computer tablets.”

    Read Also: Workers’ Day: Obaseki lauds Edo workers, promises better days ahead

  • Workers’ Day: Kalu calls for improved working conditions‎

    Former governor of Abia, Dr Orji Kalu, has urged public and private establishments in the county to accord high priority to the welfare of workers in their various organisations.

    Kalu made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser, Mr Kunle Oyewumi, to commemorate the 2018 Workers’ Day.

    In the statement made available to our reporter in Abuja, Kalu said that all tiers of government must provide conducive working environment to enable workers demonstrate their intellectual capacity.

    While acknowledging the contributions of Nigerian workers to nation building, Kalu said that no nation can develop without a vibrant labour force.

    “Nigeria is blessed with enormous human capital.

    “The labour force is being celebrated across the globe owing to the key role they play in national development.

    “The demography of Nigeria is such that if workers are motivated to work aggressively, the nation will quickly take its rightful place in the comity of nations.‎

    “As an employer of labour, I do understand the pains of workers and as such, it is important for both employers and employees to always reach a compromise on work hours, wage and salaries, insurance and other benefits for workers,” Kalu said.

    He also emphasized the need to periodically review the labour laws with a view to accommodate emerging trends.

    “The Nigerian labour laws must be periodically reviewed to accommodate new developments across the globe.

    “While I urge government at all levels to protect the interests of workers, may I also task the labour force to increase productivity.

    “Only a vibrant labour force will take Nigeria to its desired level,” Kalu said.

    NAN

  • Dr Smile to mark Workers’ Day with ‘Unusual’ comedy show

    To celebrate this year’s Workers’ Day, comedian Dr Smile will be organising a comedy show, ‘Dr Smile Unusual’, on May 1, at The Marquee, Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    The season four of the comedy show, tagged ‘The Rebirth’, starts by 12pm and will be hosted by Tee A and Lepacious Bose. Comedians that will feature include Seyi Law, Gbenga Adeyinka, Honey Tongue, Teju Babyface, Woli Agba and Saco. Others are Mc Rapindaddy, Lafup, Woi Arole, Bash, Still Ringing, Dr Frick, Mc Baffy, Mc Bishop, Cris Lecturer and Mc Password.

    Also, musicians billed to perform include Jaywon, Adex, Artquake, Big Bolaji, Laykay Sax and Klever Jay.

    “This year will be very unusual cos the bill is heavy and I will be doing one hour performance on that day,” said Dr Smile, who sees Tee A, Owen Gee, Mc Abbey, Lepacious Bose and Gordons as his mentors.

    Speaking about how he got into comedy, Dr Smile, whose real name is Ogunleye Olamilekan, said: “It was my sister’s birthday party on the 23rd of April, 2004. The MC she invited didn’t show up. So, due to the fact that I talk a lot amidst friend they decided to push me to anchor the event which I did and it came out very well. After the event, I got another gig from her friend and others they say is history.”

  • Workers Day: Censors Board chief assures of staff welfare

    Newly appointed Executive Director of National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Mr. Adedayo Thomas has assured members of the Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) of Nigeria a welfare befitting of their sacrifice.

    Thomas, in his message on Workers Day, stated that without the workers who implement governments’ ideas and policies, things would be difficult.

    He said: “I wish the esteemed members of the entire Nigeria labour force, with special extension to those in my constituency, the Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) of Nigeria; Happy Workers Day. The day reminds us as a nation that without the workers pushing the frontiers of the implementation of our ideas and policies, nothing would have worked and could work.”

    While noting the commitment of the present administration to uplift the living condition and work standards workers, he urged Nigerian workers to use the day to reflect on what posterity will say about their disposition to nation building.

    “While our workers struggle for welfare and improved conditions of service, I urge them to rededicate themselves to their responsibilities and commitment to uplifting the nation in their individual and joint capacities.

    “I hereby use this occasion to reiterate my commitment to the welfare of the Nigerian workers,” he said.

  • Workers’ Day: Varsities’ facilities still very poor, says ASUU

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has lamented the poor condition of facilities prevailing in public universities nationwide.

    Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of the union Dr Deji Omole, said there is nothing to celebrate going by the deplorable conditions of laboratories and the suffering of lecturers in public universities .

    The union enjoined the Federal Government to, in the spirit of Workers’ Day celebration, address the shortfall of personnel cost and other obligations in the nation’s public universities.

    In a statement issued in Ibadan on Tuesday, the union noted that the present administration has been economical with the truth in meeting the agreements it signed with the union in 2009 and 2013 Memorandum of Understanding. The union lamented that their colleagues are enduring the worst of welfare and lacks attention.

    According to Omole, while the student-lecturer ratio keeps increasing in the face of poor laboratories tools, lecturers are still expected to teach students with those obsolete facilities, and through that, produce globally competitive graduates.

    He lamented that most university lecturers now face hard times due to fractional payment of salaries and, unpaid earned academic allowances (EAA).

    He said Nigeria may suffer another brain drain as conditions of service for Nigerian academics are poor even when placed in the context of other universities in Africa.

    He lamented that Nigeria has continued to lose her best brains to universities outside who offer better conditions of service and welfare.

    The ASUU boss said if the welfare of those in service is addressed, it will check corruption and primitive wealth accumulation.

  • Buhari assures workers of ‘speedy passage’ of minimum wage

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured the Nigeria workers of speedy passage of the new National Minimum Wage.

    Buhari stated this in a message to workers during the 2017 May Day Rally with the theme: “Labour Relations in Economic Recession: An Appraisal.”

    “I am happy to inform you that government will give expeditious consideration to the proposal contained in the Technical Committee’s Report which was submitted on April 6, 2017,” the President said.

    “Government will take necessary steps to implement the final recommendation of the Main Government/Labour Committee as it relates to the setting up the new National Minimum Wage Committee and the needed palliatives.

    “This is in order to reduce the discomfort currently being experienced by the Nigerian working class.

    “I want to assure you that government will continue to do all at its disposal to better the lots of all Nigerians and more importantly to provide a commensurate welfare for all Nigerian workers.”

    President Buhari said he was aware that the economic recession in the country has huge implication for the seamless conduct of industrial relations.

    He noted that this arises from the fact that the economic recession by its nature was characterised by a substantial risk of the “vicious circles of low- productivity.

    He said others are mass retrenchment of workers and closure of workplaces due to high cost of doing business, unregulated subcontracting and outsourcing with its consequences on welfare of workers among others.

    “In the face of these inevitable challenges, you have shown maturity and understanding despite the situation in which we found ourselves.

    “I strongly salute your great sense of patriotism and loyalty to the country,” he added.

    NAN

     

  • Corruption: Magu asks workers to become whistle-blowers

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Monday asked Nigerian workers to blow whistles on looting and corrupt practices in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    He said Nigerian workers are greatest victims of the mismanagement of the nation’s wealth.

    He said for workers to enjoy better life, they must join the fight against corruption.

    Magu made plea in his May Day address in Abuja.

    He said: “On the Occasion of the 2017 Workers’ Day celebration, it is my pleasure to felicitate with Nigerian workers all over the country. I have always said that workers are the unsung heroes of our country. The relative comfort that we enjoy as a nation is as a result of the sweat and toil of the Nigerian worker.

    “This occasion therefore offers us the opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of workers and also look at their fortunes which have taken a dip in this season of economic recession.

    “In recent times, it is no longer news that workers are owed salaries. Workers in some states of the federation can’t even remember the last time they collected their salaries at the end of the month. And this in spite of the bailout packages paid to some of the states by the Federal Government.

    “The pathetic state of the Nigerian worker is a paradox in a nation that is abundantly blessed in material resources. Without any doubt, the Nigerian worker is the greatest victim of the mismanagement of the nation’s wealth.

    “Part of that mismanagement is driven by corruption. What should have been used to bring better life to Nigerians including workers is stolen by a few people that found themselves in positions of leadership. The stealing of our common patrimony must not be allowed to continue.”

    He said Nigerian workers can only enjoy better life if they join the war against corruption.

    Magu added: “For Nigerian workers to be assured of better life, things must change. And part of that change is that the fight against corruption must be accorded more pride of place with workers themselves taking more active roles in this important campaign.

    “Most of the corrupt activities that go on in ministries, departments and agencies are not without the knowledge of workers.

    ” So, the onus is on workers themselves to resolve to put a stop to this looting by becoming active whistle blowers.

    “This will help instill more discipline in the use of public resources and ultimately guarantee a better future for us and our children.”

     

  • Workers’ Day: NLC chairman not included in pardon – Amosun

    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, said on Monday he has pardoned workers dismissed from the state’s civil service for acts that were in flagrant disregard of the civil service rules, but quickly added that the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Akeem Ambali, was not among the beneficiaries of the clemency.

    Those pardoned are Messrs Dare Ilekoya, Eniola Atiku and Nola Balogun.

    Amosun, who made this known in his address at a ceremony to mark the Workers’ Day, said the pardon does not apply to Ambali, because unlike the other three, he had approached the law court to challenge his dismissal from the civil service.

    The governor said the state government would wait for the outcome of the litigation in order not to be seen to have taken any action on a matter that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction.

    Amosun said he decided to pardon Ilekoya, Atiku and Balogun because of the mediatory roles played by the National leadership of the labour unions, particularly the Comrade Michael Alogba-led National Union of Teachers (NUT), the national leadership of the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), former President Olusegun Obasanjo and traditional rulers across the state.

    He said, “The dismissed workers are pardoned, they will now proceed on retirement from the public service with full terminal benefits in accordance with the extant public service regulations.

    “The pardon does not apply to Mr. Akeem Ambali because, unlike the other three, he had approached the law court to challenge his dismissal from the civil service.

    “While all parties await the outcome of litigation, as a responsible and law-abiding administration, we cannot be seen to have taken any action on a matter that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction.”

  • Workers’ Day: There is nothing to celebrate – ASUU

    The Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan Chapter, Dr. Deji Omole, has lamented the poor condition of facilities in the nation’s universities.

    While the Nigerian workers celebrate the workers day,  he said there is nothing to celebrate going by the deplorable conditions of universities’ laboratories and the suffering of lecturers in the institutions.

    The don, in a statement, asked the Federal Government to address the shortfall of personnel cost and other obligations in the universities.

    Dr. Omole said the present administration has adopted a “Maradona style” in meeting the agreements it signed with the union in 2009 and 2013, adding that academic staff in Nigerian universities are enduring the worst of welfare and lack attention.

    He said while the student to lecturer ratio keeps increasing, and science laboratories are nothing to write home about, lecturers are still expected to teach students with poor facilities to produce globally competitive students.

    He lamented that most university lecturers now face hard times due to fractional payment of salaries and unpaid academic allowances.