By Gift Samuel, The Sight News
ABUJA: Year after year, Nigerian workers celebrate Workers’ day every May 1, with demands and plea to the federal government to improve the living conditions of workers.
From all indications, there appears to be little or no improvements in the living conditions of Nigerian workers and citizens so far, as the demands have not changed from what it used to be.
Meanwhile, the call for the review of the minimum wage of workers has remained top on the chat and is also on the front burner of the 2018 May Day Celebration.
Addressing Newsmen on Saturday at a joint Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) 2018 Pre-May Day Press Conference in Abuja, the Chairman of the May Day Committee, Comrade Najeem Yasin, stated that there is overwhelming evidence to show that the living conditions of Nigerian workers and citizens have deteriorated in the past few years.
Yasin who is also the Deputy President of NLC, lamented that there has been an absence of meaningful social cushioning especially by way of decent wages and dignified working conditions.
According to him, “Even the Minimum Wage promised by government is yet to materialize. The broader economic and political dynamics in our country continue to tempt many workers to lose faith and hope in the Nigerian promise”.
He however noted that the Labour movement is seeking to inspire strength, confidence and hope in Nigerian workers and ordinary citizens who feel shortchanged.
“May Day is a day we join our Comrades all over the world to celebrate the dignity of labour. The 2018 May Day will not be different. Nigerian workers will celebrate working class solidarity and showcase working-class unity” he said.
Also speaking, the Co-chair, May Day Committee and Chairman, TUC FCT Council, Comrade Amodu Olayinka announced that adequate security has been put in place to ensure a hitch free May Day Celebration.
May Day is always a significant and symbolic day for Nigerian workers and theme for the 2018 May Day is, “Role of Labour Movement in National Development: Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win”
