Labour Day: Nigerian Workers Advocate For Better Welfare

May 1st is a day set aside all over the world to celebrate workers and Nigerian workers are not left out. On the first of year every year, The Federal Government declares a public holiday as Nigerian and International workers are celebrated and their struggles highlighted.  The 2023 international workers day was no different as labour unions, workers held rallies across the country to mark the event and advocate for better welfare.

History Of Worker's Day

The day which is also known as International Workers Day came into existence in 1889 to beam the spotlight on workers’ struggle, a fallout of Haymarket affair in Chicago, U. S. A, where workers led a protest to insist on working for eight hours instead of the 12 hours a day, besides other welfare issues.

NLC 2023 Workers Day Demand

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday 1st of May 2023 called for a review of civil servants’ retirement age and years of service in the entire public service to 65.. Joe Ajaero, NLC President made the call he also called for a general review of core civil servants’ salaries to narrow the gap between other civil servants’ emoluments and those in other segments of the public service.

According to the NLC President, the extension of years of service should go around, as it had been done in other sectors of public service in the country.

In his words:

“Only a few other establishments, including the core civil service, are now left out."

He continued: 

“We are, therefore, demanding that the age of retirement and length of service in the entire public service, including the civil service, be reviewed upward to 65 years of age and 40 years of service.” 

Ajaero said that the union had, over the years, demanded salary review but had yet to receive Federal Government’s attention.

According to Ajaero:

“It is necessary to recall that we have continued over the years to demand that the salaries of core civil servants be beefed up to narrow the gap between their emoluments and those in other segments of the public service."

He asked: 

“They all possess the same educational qualifications and cognate experience on the job. So why the disparity?”

On gratuity payment, the NLC president said union leaders had, on several occasions, presented the issue to the government without any positive response.

He further added:

“Fellow comrades, we have consistently presented the issue of gratuity payment to the government but nothing has been done in that regard."

“As you are all aware, the concept of gratuity payment to employees is predicated on the fact that those who have labored for public institutions or private enterprises are entitled to the proverbial golden handshake from their employers."

“Thus, gratuity is a monetary benefit given by an employer to his/her employee at the time of retirement without the worker making any financial contribution whatsoever to the fund.” 

According to him, such a lump sum is meant to enable the retiree to finance any post-retirement endeavor of his/her choice.

“The Pension Act did not abolish gratuity payment and we demand its restoration in many public sectors where it has been stopped, ” the labour leader said.

Here Is What Nigerian Leaders Are Saying

Senate President Ahmad Lawan told workers that the National Assembly will continue to engage with them to address issues that affect them. He made the assurance in a statement commemorating Nigerian workers on the occasion of May Day this year, while advocating for a quick and amicable settlement to the months-long Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

In his words:

“Nigerian workers deserve our appreciation and respect for their contributions to the development of our country”

“I also salute them for their patriotic cooperationinubuT with the government and other institutions in the collective efforts to address societal challenges.”

Tinubu To Workers

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, also urged Nigerians to work together to build a better country for themselves and future generations. 

In the President elect's words: 

“Labour is the backbone of a nation. Our nation’s laborers are the daily unsung heroes of society. The work they performed helps define our nation. The goods and services their efforts provide are the basis of our collective well-being"

“Today is Workers’ Day. It is a day for us to fully celebrate the Nigerian worker”.