May Day and the challenges facing Nigerian workers
NEWS DIGEST – “Hunger is not to be expressed by whistling, that is why the ink will not stop purging its over-feeding witnessing situation” – Unknown
History is meant to guide and it is important to let my readers know that 1st of May is set aside for the celebration of workers freedom. History has it that the celebration began during the administration of Sheu Shagari.
The growth or downfall of a firm depends on the workforce of the agency. It is however, pathetic that Nigerian workers suffer jeopardy from their employers ranging from inability of some firms to pay minimum wage. While some organisation even meet up with the minimum wage of N18,000, it is a clear to the blind that these workers are underpaid considering the high cost of food stuffs, school fees, house rent, PHCN bill and many more. What all these simply means is that the road to the current situation of Nigerian workers is rough and dangerous. Why? The aforementioned are all basic amenities that are expected of man because no agency permits workers to sleep in the office, likewise the children’s school fees cannot be left unattended to.
Also, it is saddening that the workers’ Unions such as NUT, NLC, CFTU, PENGASSAN, among others yearly hold their celebration rallies without genuinely fighting for the interest and welfare of their members. The workers’ unions irregularities have over years caused more harm that good to our national development. No doubt, the road may be rough but there is a need to the unions to play key role in the determination of their members destiny through genuine progressive commitment. Protest and strike should not be called off volte face after the leadership must have been sponsored. This is the main reason why the country will remain in ground zero.
Read Also:
It is pertinent that workers also use the celebration of May 1 to tackle politicised promotion of workers in the country. What is promotion? This is the act of moving someone to a higher or more important position or rank in an organization. It mostly serves as motivation tonic to staff. However, this has been politicised. Many workers who are due for promotion are denied because the leadership doubt their loyalty. The leadership often prefers loyalty to competence. However, promotion without competence is disastrous. Truth be told, Nigerian workers have been faced with uncountable problems which cannot be disconnected from the oppressive policies of employers, mostly in the public sectors. How? Unarguably, ‘godfatherism’ and ‘godmotherism’, nepotism and favoritism are criteria that have replaced professionalism and excellence qualifications.
Indeed, as we celebrate May Day, workers should smile and rejoice but reverse has always been the case. Challenges of workers remain the subject of discourse yearly. Government needs to focus on the welfarism of these men and women. Payment of salaries as at when due, increment at the appropriate time, and payment of pension at the right time will make the country great.
Lastly on the part of the workers, the workers’ unions must demand sanity against corruption, they should avoid negligence of duties and be proactive. They must play good roles in the the task of building wealth for the nation through improved work ethics. While the government should inspire workers, they must not coerce them to be static collaborators of ungodly status quo.
Adejumo Kabir is a student journalist of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. He can be reached via 08131863610 or adejumoka1@gmail.com
Follow us on Twitter: @thenewsdigestng
