Monday, May 1,
has been declared public holiday by Nigerian government to enable workers
celebrate 2017 Workers’ Day and hold rallies.
The sun news reported that Minister of
Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd), announced the declaration of the
public holiday, on Friday.
He
congratulated Nigerian workers for their resilience, hard work and commitment
to the present administration despite current challenges.
The minister
also urged them to continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Director,
Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Alhaji Muhammadu
Maccido, made the announcement in a statement on Friday.
Some of the
labour leaders in Lagos on Friday called for the fast-tracking of discussions
on the minimum wage.
Speaking to
the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) they said the continuous delay in discussing
and recommending payment of a new minimum wage would not augur well for
industrial harmony.
Secretary
General, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Mr Bashir Lawal,
said that reaching a quick agreement on the issue was paramount.
“The delay,
apart from worsening the economic well-being of Nigerians, particularly the
workers, Industrial peace and harmony cannot be guaranteed,” he said.
According to
him, there is no doubt that workers are going through economic difficulties but
expressed optimism that they would rejoice whenever discussions on the minimum
wage were concluded.
“There is no
gain saying the fact that workers are going through very difficult times. We
have made representations severally to the government on this issue.
“ We are
hopeful that something positive will happen to our Take-Home-Pay, as soon as
the Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee concludes its assignment,’’ he said.
President,
National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), Mr Lateef
Oyelekan, also called for the hastening of discussions.
According to
Lateef, a review of the wage will serve as compensation to workers who have
prayed ceaselessly for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Many Nigerian
workers prayed for the President when he was indisposed. Now that he is back,
we are hopeful that he will consider their plight,’’ he said.
Oyelekan also
suggested that states governments be pressurized to pay any amount that would
be agreement on.
He said it was
regrettable that almost a year after bailout funds were released, some of the
states still owed workers salary arrears of six to 10 months.
“Today, a
worker with four children can no longer send them to school, feed and cater for
the family needs because his or her income (N18,000) is inadequate,’’ he said.
Oyelekan
however commended the Federal Government for releasing Foreign Exchange to
boost production, adding that many companies were already going comatose
because for lack of forex
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