The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has advocated for the welfare of workers ahead of the Workers Day celebration on May 1, 2024, News About Nigeria reports.
He made this call while speaking at the Pre-May Day Lecture in Abuja on Monday as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Workers Day celebration scheduled for Wednesday.
Ajaero noted that it is important that the government at various levels in the country ensure that the welfare of workers is paramount in whatever policy decisions they are taking, adding that anything contrary will be to the detriment of the people.
“People should be at the heart of every policy. Without making them. the centre of every government policy, the society suffers adversely,” he said.
Speaking also, the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, Comrade Festus Osifo, stressed the importance of putting the people first in any government policies.
He maintained that the theme of the 2024 Workers Day celebration, “Workers First”, is a delicate one as it harps on the need to prioritise the welfare of workers in the country.
He faulted what he described as various policy mismatches and summersaults where the people’s welfare is put at the bottom of the radar, and he urged the federal government to have a change of attitude towards how they treat workers in the country.
“Today marks another turning point in the history of the trade union movement in this country. When we look at the theme of the 2024 Worker’s Day celebration, which is people first, that is very significant because we need to put the people first. We need to put the workers first and when you put the people first, you put your family first. This is what is called the first-line charge.
“Today, we have experienced various policy mismatches and summersaults where the people’s welfare is put at the bottom of the radar.
“A case in point was the increase in electricity tariff without following due process and without consultation with various stakeholders who would have been involved in taking critical decisions that affect the lives of workers,” he stated.
