Victor EzejaAs Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s International Workers’ Day on May 1, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have made 20 demands that must be fulfilled to ensure the welfare of workers.
Their demands were contained in a statement jointly issued by the NLC and TUC on Thursday. The unions said labour is the backbone of the nation as they provide the workforce for various sectors that sustain the economy.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe statement noted that throughout history, labour movements for the welfare of workers have faced different kinds of challenges in the hands of oppressive regimes, but they have remained resolute in their struggles and often prevailed.
“We will not be silenced by intimidation nor will we accept half measures. Let this May Day mark not just the celebration of labour but the beginning of a renewed movement,” part of the statement read.
The unions encouraged workers in various sectors to organise themselves and continue to push for more dignified working conditions and justice.
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Top among the demands of the labour unions is a reversal of what they called “unconstitutional” declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the governor, his deputy and members of the State Assembly. “State of emergency is alien to our laws,” they stated.
The unions urged federal and state governments to shun actions that erode civic space and also called for immediate adjustment of workers’ salaries in tandem with current economic realities.
They also called on the Federal Government to withdraw the Tax Bills currently before the National Assembly to allow input from Nigerian workers.
The unions also reiterated their demand for the reduction of telecom tariffs from the current 50 per cent to 35 per cent.
While asking the government to explain what it is taxing in the PAYEE system, the unions demanded economic justice, calling for a “living wage, fair taxation, and an end to policies prioritising corporate profits over workers’ survival.”
They also called for democratic accountability in the form of ensuring transparent governance, electoral reforms, and an end to suppression of dissent.
The unions also demanded that the government should take urgent steps to address the challenges of energy, infrastructure, and security and end incessant killings of innocent and defenceless people.
Still on workers’ welfare, they demanded that the government must “ensure safe workplaces, the right to organise, and protection from state/employer violence – Workers’ Rights & Security;
“Ensure immediate payment of all outstanding allowances, pensions, and gratuities across the nation. “Restore gratuity payments for public servants who served diligently for decades, unlike political office holders with shorter tenures.
“Extend the upward review of retirement age (65 years or 40 years of service) to all public servants, not just teachers, health professionals, and judges.
“End dehumanising verification exercises in the public service.
“Provide an acceptable National Minimum Pension for dignity in retirement.
“Automatically adjust pensions to reflect inflationary trends.”
They also called for a review of the previous electricity privatisation exercise for better outcomes.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
