Chris Paul Otaigbe
Workers in the Nigerians Health sector were yesterday commended for their gallantry in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic by President Mohammadu Buhari amid low key May 1, International Workers Day celebration.
In a message, signed by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina and read on his behalf by Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, during a virtual meeting with Labour leaders via ZOOM, in consonance with the social distancing policy, the President expressed his appreciation to all the health workers under the auspices of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
“These Health workers are doing a great service for humanity. I thank you all. I have directed that requisite incentives and hazard allowances enhancement and insurance for lives should be taken at these perilous times in favor of our Health Sector workers as a way of showing our appreciation. Also, personal protective equipment for their safety is also guaranteed.” He said.
He stated that the resilience of the of workers in times of adversity is not questionable, assuring that their collective will and sense of responsibility, as a team, shall give the country victory in the end.
To assuage the fears of all Workers in the country, Buhari assured that no employer would retrench workers without going through due process, adding that his government will ensure that no employer retrenches or lays off workers without going through due process of social dialogue, which include consultations with workers and with the Competent Authority, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
In a similar development, various organisations, also, gave kudos to Nigerian Health Workers for their chivalry on the front line of the war against the Coronavirus pandemic in commemoration of the Workers Day.
One of such organisations was African Democratic Congress (ADC). ADC commended Nigerian workers for their steadfastness and commitment to the growth of Nigeria in spite of the tough working conditions.
In a goodwill message to the workers, the party commended Health workers for carrying on as true heroes of the nation amid rising insecurity and economic hardship, occasioned by years of insensitive leadership.
A statement in Lagos on Friday, May 1, 2020, by the National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Yemi Kolapo, the party particularly commended the Nigerian health workers for the risks they take while attending to patients of COVID-19.
“If Nigerian workers, especially the health workers on the front line of the intense struggle to contain the spread of COVID-19 and minimize fatalities, and others in the line of essential services, had refused to risk their lives in the face of clear uncertainties, blaming them would have been difficult,” he said.
According to Kolapo, when workers do not earn a living wage, and there is no guarantee that their dependants would not be left in abject poverty and sorrow should they pay the ultimate price, there will always be a temptation to ignore duty calls.
“But our health workers have demonstrated, in this instance, that they are more committed to Nigeria than those they have elected as captains of the ship,” said Kolapo.
He admonished President Muhammadu Buhari administration to also map out clear strategies for the management of an unavoidable post-Covid-19’s socio-economic crisis with distinct implementation plans, adding that there must also be conscious efforts to make the business environment bearable for Small and Medium Enterprises which are the main engines of growth for economies worldwide,” the party said.
Anambra State’s Head of Service (HoS), Mr Harry Udu, also commended Nigerian workers for their support in the fight against Coronavirus pandemic.
Udu made the commendation in Awka on Friday while felicitating with workers across the world on the 2020 edition of Workers Day celebration, stating that in spite of the socio-economic challenges in the country, there were still reasons for workers to celebrate.
Udu commended the Nigerian workers, especially those in the health sector who were in the front line were waging war against COVID-19 since the outbreak in Nigeria late February.
“COVID-19 is war without guns and Nigerian workers are the people in the front line, especially our health workers. There is still something that workers should celebrate for in spite of the pandemic challenges, at least there is life,” he said.
The Anambra HoS said employers of labor should ensure that no worker was sacked on the account of COVID-19, adding that sacking of workers would harm the economy more, but he admitted a likely reduction in internally generated revenue of governments.
“My advice is that employers of labor should not sack anybody for now, the emphasis should not be on profit or company survival, but survival of the society as a whole.” Udu said.
Similarly, Action Democratic Party (ADP) lauded Nigerian workers for their resilience, consistent patriotism and commitment to nation building.
ADP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Adelaja Adeoye, said this in a statement in Lagos on Friday.
He said Nigerian workers had continued to exhibit patriotism and commitment in spite of many limiting factors.
Adeoye noted that though the present economic realities were affecting a good number of workers, the party would encourage workers to continue to work hard and keep hope alive in the face of challenges.
“We recognise the impact of you, our Nigerian work force, both in private and public sectors in nation building. You are irreplaceable and your efforts are priceless. We can only urge you to keep on putting your best to the service of the nation.,” he said.
Adeoye said that though the usual parades and speeches at public arenas would not be observed, there was the need to pay attention to current issues confronting the working class.
He said Nigerian workers were some of the lowest paid in the world and urged government and other employers to see to the need for decent wages for workers.
The party spokesman also urged government and other employers on regular payment of workers’ salaries to protect their livelihoods.
He called on governments, labor unions and other stakeholders to do their best to ensure that the challenges brought about by COVID 19 pandemic did not threaten workers’ livelihoods through job losses.
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Lagos State Chapter, has called on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies and multinational organizations to take the lead in giving to the vulnerable at this time of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The union’s Secretary, Mr Abiodun Aladetan, made the call during a visit to Makoko community in Yaba area of Lagos State on Friday, in commemoration of Workers’ Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union distributed palliatives to residents in the community as part of activities to celebrate Workers’ Day, marked annually on May 1.
He said the gesture will help to ameliorate the suffering of the people since government cannot do it alone. “We must come together to fight this pandemic,” he said.
The secretary said there was need for the government to have comprehensive data of all Nigerians for proper planning and good policy decision in terms of distributing palliatives to the vulnerable in the society.
According to him, such data will enable government to know the number of those who are vulnerable and have been badly affected by the lockdown policy.
“The only way the distribution of palliatives can be better organised, either now or in future after COVID-19, is for the government to have a comprehensive data of its people. This is the reason why we cannot plan properly and predict certain variables”
According to him, with credible data in place, the country can know those who are living below the poverty line, the numbers of vulnerable people including physically challenged; those in active work and retirees.
Also in Oyo State, the Oyo state chapter of NUJ commended the Federal and State Governments for the implementation of the minimum wage.
This commendation was issued in a statement by the council’s Chairman, Alhaji Ademola Babalola, in Ibadan on the occasion of the International Workers’ Day celebration.
“A year ago, we clamored for the implementation of new minimum wage and same has been approved for Nigerian workers. Kudos to both the federal and state governments,” Babalola said.
The NUJ chairman further lamented on the meagre salaries being paid to members working in private media establishments, noting that the salaries of some of these journalists had been slashed by at least 50 percent since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While colleagues in the government-owned media establishments are savoring the little increase in their monthly pay, many of us in the private establishments continue to groan in silence.
Their meagre salaries have either been slashed by at least 50 percent since the outbreak of the pandemic about two months ago in Nigeria, or not paid at all for several months by our employers,” he said.
