Leadership (Abuja)
2 May 2008
President Umaru Yar'Adua yesterday urged public servants to support government's various reform programmes to move the nation forward. The president stated this at the 2008 May Day rally in Abuja, organised to mark workers' day that government would not succeed in its policies if workers did not believe in them.
The president, who was represented by the minister of labour and productivity, Dr. Hassan Lawal, said that trade unions should work with government to ensure economic development.
"The trade unions must accept responsibilities along with the government to create a new Nigeria anchored on social justice, due process and the rule of law.
"It is only in doing so that government's efforts in ensuring the promotion of democracy, good governance, sustainable growth and social justice can be driven to conclusion," he said.
In his speech, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, NLC President called on the Federal Government to design new policies that would create jobs in Nigeria. He said that the only way to eradicate poverty was the accessibility of job for the unemployed.
Omar said that government must intervene in order for closed factories and organisations to function again. He said it was regrettable that some workers in the private and public sectors still slaved as casual workers because of unavailability of jobs.
"It is unacceptable, illegal and we will continue to resist it," he cautioned, adding that the NLC would mobilise against employers who engaged casual labour.
President of the NLC said that the congress would approach the government to open up negotiations for an upward review of wages. He said it was time to demand for salary increases, "especially in view of the unbearable cost of living."
"We will approach governments to open up negotiations for a review of existing wages and conditions. As we speak, political office holders are earning enhanced salaries and allowances. Salaries of political office holders have been increased on two previous occasions, while salaries of workers have remained the same."
Omar said there was now a moral imperative for a wage review, "otherwise the situation will remain, as our veterans used to describe it, 'monkey de work, baboon de chop'."
He said the battle to implement the 15 percent wage increase in some states was still on and would not be an impediment to demanding enhanced wages. "We will continue the fight against such state governments until they fully implement the 15 per cent wage increase," Omar said.
The labour leader called on President Yar'Adua to do something about unpaid arrears of monetisation benefit in some parastatal agencies of the federal government.
"Our colleagues, who are being owed arrears of monetisation have run out of patience.
"We urge the Federal Government to hasten work on the modalities of the payment of the arrears. "Our patience has run out," he said.
Omar lamented the proposed increase in electricity tariff, saying that labour would resist any attempt to increase electricity tariffs at this time.
"With the epileptic supply of electricity, Nigerians spend too much on alternative sources. Increasing tariffs will mean double jeopardy and Labour will certainly not accept this.
"We believe that stability of power supply needs to be attained and guaranteed before an upward review of electricity tariff is contemplated," he said.
Omar said while recognising that there was an emerging global food crisis, government needed to take urgent steps to prevent mass hunger in the land.
"With the rains and planting season now with us, deliberate interventions by governments at all levels need to be initiated to ensure adequate planting and adequate supply of input to farmers at reasonable and affordable costs. "We therefore call on this administration to pursue a transformative agricultural policy that will address the short-term food crisis and pave the way for self-sufficiency in food," he urged.
Peter Esele, President-General of the Trade Union Congress, lamented the state of the country's economy saying, "nothing is presently working in the country and Nigerian workers are at the receiving end.
"We are a nation at a crossroads where infrastructure are experiencing decay coupled with indiscipline, high rate of corruption, misplaced priorities and bad leadership," he said.
Esele said the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency recall 49 University of Ilorin lecturers sacked for their involvement in a strike in 2001.
"The case has lingered on for too long with each successive administration dodging the issue and bringing legal technicality. We advise the federal government to abide by the agreement of June 30, 2001 that no academic staff should be victimised for participating in a strike," he said.
He, however, commended the government for its effort to reduce corruption in the country using EFCC and ICPC.
The theme of this year's May Day celebrations is: "Making Nigeria Work for its People."
Various affiliates of the NLC in their solidarity messages called on the government to revive the power sector so that dead factories and companies could function again.
Mr. Zakari Adams, chairman of the FCT Council of the NLC lamented that several years after the monetisation policy was announced, thousands of workers had not been paid, while many other thousands have lost their jobs. About 34 of NLC's affiliates participated in the march- past to mark the celebration with the theme: "Making Nigeria Work for Its People."
Immediate past president of the NLC, Adams Oshiomhole, was the toast of workers at the Workers Day rally in Abuja. Jubilant workers who carried him shoulder-high around the venue while singing his praises heralded his dramatic arrival at the Eagle Square venue of the rally.
On his arrival, Oshiomhole was greeted by songs of "solidarity for ever," sung by excited unionists and workers alike. The disruption took more than 30 minutes and compelled the organisers to appeal that the labour leader be allowed to take his seat.
On his part, Oshiomhole greeted fellow comrades and workers with radiant smiles as they lifted his hands to show support for an accomplished labour leader.
Banners singing his praises also dotted the venue, clearly marking him as a man of the people. Some of the banners read: "Nigeria needs Oshiomhole in government. Oshiomhole's mandate, the people's mandate. God's case, no appeal."
In an interview, Oshiomhole said the reception almost moved him to tears.
He said the action of the crowd toward him was recognition of his service and modest contribution to the union and to the country.
"It was done in appreciation of my modest contributions," he said.
He advised that his successor should build on the achievements he made as a labour leader.
He thanked Nigerians for the good support, urging them to continue to accord recognition to positive contributions. He admonished Nigerians to place greater emphasis on good name rather than on material acquisition.
On the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI), Oshiomhole expressed shock that the bill was delayed. He prayed the National Assembly to recognise the right of the citizens to know, adding that "accountability is not possible without the bill."
He said: "It is in the interest of Nigerians that the bill be passed. I hope there will be a rethink. "Otherwise, democracy cannot take its proper root."
The Kaduna State chapter of NLC also yesterday tasked both the executive and legislative arm of government to ensure strict punishment of all indicted officials found wanting in one way or another.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
