Workers in Nigeria are, today, joining their counterparts across the globe to celebrate the May Day, International Labour Day or Workers’ Day. The day is celebrated to commemorate May 4, 1886, when the Haymarket Massacre in the Chicago happened. On this day, the local workers were on strike about their eight-hour workday and police was trying to disperse the general public from the crowd. Suddenly, a bomb was thrown at the crowd of workers by an unidentified person, resulting in panic and firing from the police on the workers. Four workers were killed in the firing.
Thus, in 1889, it was decided in Paris that the day be celebrated on an annual basis as May Day. So, in the year 1891, May Day was officially recognized to be celebrated as an annual international event.
The theme of this year’s May Day for Nigeria is Labour, Politics and the Quest for Good Governance and Development in Nigeria. It is a fact that labour in Nigeria has been at the fore front in the struggle for good governance in Nigeria since Independence till date.
In Anambra State, the labour once again congratulates Professor Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, and his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, on their inauguration. We, the entire workers of Anambra State are happy for the future that you have committed yourself to leading Ndi Anambra into and we have no doubt that you and your team are prepared to serve.
We are particularly moved by your vision of turning Anambra State into a prosperous and livable homeland driven by the philosophy of “One Anambra, One People, One Agenda”. We assure you of our solidarity, support and co-operation in this onerous task of taking our dear state to greater height.
On the other hand, the Congress wishes to bring to the attention of the governor to the new National Minimum Wage of N30, 000 and its consequential adjustment which have not been fully implemented in the State. What was paid as the new minimum wage was far below what was contained in the signed agreement between organized labour and the government.
Congress therefore requests that a minimum of two hundred million be added to the wage bill of workers in the State to cushion the effects.
The Congress will like to see the reconstitution of Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) Board and constitution of Local Government Service Board to give labour a say on issues that affect its members. In addition, Payment of gratuity of retirees in the State is now in five years arrears (from 2017 to 2022) including retirees of the Anambra Broadcasting Service.
There is also need for harmonization of pension. For more than three decades, pension has not been harmonized in the State. The effect is that most pensioners who retired many years ago received about two thousand naira as their monthly pension.
In addition, the Congress passionately appeals to our dear governor to approve the most Senior Director in ABS as substantive Managing Director of the establishment. When an insider naturally progresses through the rank and becomes a managing director, it gives a sense of fulfillment to all staff and encourages them to work harder so as to get to the pinnacle of their career.
There is also the need for training and retraining of workers in the state. Congress is desirous of a befitting Labour House to serve the needs of its affiliate members as obtained in other States as well as accelerated work on “Isiagu Housing Estate Project” for workers.
Finally, the Congress appreciates the enormous solutions proffered so far by Professor Soludo and his team. We reassure you that the Nigeria Labour Congress with its teaming members in Anambra State are solidly behind you. Happy Workers’ Day.
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