Ahead of May Day celebration on Monday, May 1, 2023, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, have congratulated Nigerian workers for their resilience and loyalty to the country.
Also, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that the state government has implemented institutional reforms to sustain the gains made in improving workers’ welfare.
The governor, who said this in commemoration of the 2023 Worker’s Day celebration, said some of the reforms include new legislation, capacity enhancement programmes and policy changes that impact on building a strong and virile workforce.
According to him: “We have drastically improved the remuneration and benefit system for workers by making Edo the sub-national with the best salary scheme in Nigeria. We are investing in the health and well-being of our workers. We have commenced an affordable health insurance scheme that has ensured improved access to quality health care for all workers. We are also implementing a contributory pension scheme that will guarantee regular pension payments for our retired workers.
“Our commitment to workers’ welfare extends beyond just remuneration and benefits. We are investing towards ensuring that our workers have a positive and fulfilling work experience. Our goal is to transform the traditionally mundane and unexciting public sector work environment into an engaging and enjoyable one.
“We are committed to improving the quality of work life for our workers by implementing initiatives that promote employee engagement, job satisfaction, and a sense of purpose in their work.”
He added: “I sincerely thank all of our workers who continue to contribute their time, talent, and energy to the betterment of our State. While I encourage all of us not to relent in our efforts towards building a progressive and prosperous Edo State, I reassure you that, as a government, we will continue to provide the resources and infrastructure necessary to help you succeed, ensuring that every worker is treated with dignity and respect, and every citizen has access to opportunities for personal and collective growth.”
Atiku advised the workers to see this year’s May Day as a moment for sober reflection and stocktaking in view of the myriad of socio-economic problems facing them in the last eight years of the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC’s) administration.
Despite the precarious situation, Atiku enjoined the workers not to despair and cowed, but to keep their heads above water and stay afloat, be resilient and hopeful; for the sake of the younger generation and the country’s future.
“In Nigeria of today, the minimum wage of N30,000 cannot buy a full bag of rice, let alone cloth or pay for a worker’s many utility bills. In fact, hyperinflation in all sectors of our nation has constituted serious socio-economic strangulation to the average Nigerian worker, who’s now poorer than 2015 when APC came to power.”
Atiku extolled the virtues of hard work, perseverance and endurance of the working people in the country.
“It is unimaginable how a government could be so heartless to treat its own bonafide citizens like medieval slaves in colonial plantations. Where are the so-called ‘dividends of democracy’? Labourers do deserve commensurate wages that meet pervading economic conditions of the time. Alas, Nigerian workers now receive wages that can no longer take them home or bring them back to the office!” he lamented.
He reminded the workers to stand together, with him, to legally reclaim their stolen mandate at the February 25 presidential polls.
“Hope is the breath that keeps people alive. Let’s work together in unity of voice and purpose to retrieve our electoral victory through the law courts. Let’s have faith that the judiciary would be fair and dispense unbiased justice.”
