President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday acknowledged workers’ contributions to national development.
He said their welfare would always be accorded priority as the ‘engine of our economy’.
President Tinubu celebrated the workers’ contributions to national productivity and development as they joined their counterparts across the globe to mark May Day.
In Abuja, gaily-dressed workers in different aso-ebi gathered according to their affiliates at Eagle Square, singing solidarity songs.
In state capitals and Abuja, the workers under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) also celebrated the day with solidarity marches.
Two Labour leaders – Joe Ajaero (NLC) and Festus Osifo (TUC) – on behalf of the Organised Labour, presented a 20-point demand to President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi.
The minister read the President’s address, in which he acknowledged the vital role workers play in sustaining the nation’s progress and promised to defend their welfare.
Following the removal of petrol subsidy and the attendant cost-of-living crisis, the government increased the minimum wage by 100 per cent from N35,000 to N70,000.
Many states, such as Rivers and Lagos, pay N85,000; others pay above N70,000.
‘Our administration has and will continue to prioritise workers’ welfare. Together, we will make Nigeria great again’, the President stated, extending his goodwill to workers across sectors and age groups.
‘Here’s to everyone, young and old, entrepreneur or employee, private or government employed, whose meaningful contributions help in no small way to the development of our homes, communities, and our dear nation’, he added.
The President hailed the resilience and dedication of the nation’s workforce, saying: ‘You are the engine of our economy and the secret to our nation’s growth’.
His message aligned with ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to improve the living conditions of workers through economic reforms, infrastructure development, and the implementation of social intervention programmes.
President Tinubu said his administration would uphold workers’ rights through friendly policies and programmes.
He also promised to continue to improve job security and ensure fair treatment for workers in line with international best practices.
The President said: &Nigeria is on the verge of signing onto the Global Coalition for Social Justice of the International Labour Organisation to ensure that Nigeria’s Labour Administration System not only resonates with best practice but Nigeria’s voice is clearly heard in the international arena of the world of work.
‘The guiding principles of the Coalition are centred around six thematic areas bordering on employment creation, social protection, sustainable enterprises, ensuring human dignity, addressing inequalities and skills investments, and are in tandem with our national priorities, particularly with the priority areas of our Renewed Hope Agenda.
‘Furthermore, this administration shall continue to effect positive changes in the lives of the average Nigerians, to ensure that the downtrodden are elevated and most importantly to fight the intense pain of corruption which has enriched the very few to the detriment of the majority of our citizens who groan under the overwhelming weight of poverty and all the superstructural and infrastructural maladies resulting from corruption.
‘It is against this backdrop that I urge you all to, on this Workers’ Day, reaffirm your commitment to the principles of fairness, equity, and justice.
‘Let us work together to ensure that every worker, regardless of their role or background, has access to opportunities that enable them to thrive.
‘Let us stand united in our pursuit of a Nigeria where insecurity is replaced with stability, and where the civic space is a beacon of hope and progress’.
Labour presents 20-point demand
The demands include salary adjustment in sync with economic realities, a living wage, fair taxation, an end to policies that prioritise corporate profits over workers’ survival and the implementation of the reduction of telco tariff from 50 per cent to 35 per cent as agreed.
Other demands are: the reversal of the unconstitutional suspension of the elected government in Rivers State via a State of Emergency, an end to the erosion of civic space, an explanation of what is taxable in the ‘PAYEE’, and the withdrawal of the Tax Bills before the National Assembly so that workers can contribute to the legislation.
Others are: democratic accountability – transparent governance, electoral reforms, an end to the suppression of dissent, an end to the genocidal killings, payment of outstanding allowances, pensions and gratuities across the nation; restoration of gratuity payments, an upward review of retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service — currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges — to all public servants; an end to dehumanising verification in the public service and an acceptable National Minimum Pension to guarantee dignity in retirement.
According to the labour leaders, workers have been betrayed by the Federal Government.
They said: ‘Nigerian workers are not happy. Nigerian workers are hungry. Nigerian workers are suffering massively. We feel betrayed by the very people whose duty it is to ensure that we maintain a balance.
‘We want to know whether it is a crime to be a worker in Nigeria. Why are we deliberately being made poor? Why are we being ground to dust? We have become one of the poorest workers on earth! Mr. President, governors and private employers – where is justice in the wages that you pay us?
‘It appears that the harder we work, the poorer we become.
‘Let us reaffirm our commitment to the principles of justice, equity, and democratic governance.
‘The struggles we face today—economic hardship, repression of civic freedoms, and systemic inequality—are not insurmountable.
‘But overcoming them requires clarity of purpose, strategic unity, and unwavering resolve’.
Welfare initiatives
Dingyadi listed 13 interventionist programmes geared towards workers’ welfare.
He said: ‘The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to:
• ‘Strengthening legal protections for freedom of assembly and expression;
• ‘Creating more jobs for our unemployed youths for better National growth and development;
• ‘Creating more inclusive platforms for labour participation in policymaking;
• ‘Encouraging civil dialogue over conflict and protecting the fundamental rights of workers, especially in times of crisis.
‘The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has made significant strides in advancing labour policies, employment opportunities, and worker protections.
‘These are evident in the launch of the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP).
‘This initiative was introduced to expand employment opportunities, equip Nigerians with critical skills, and drive economic empowerment through innovation and technology.
‘The Ministry has worked to enforce compliance with occupational safety and health standards, ensuring fair wages and dignified employment for Nigerian workers.
‘Through partnerships with various stakeholders, the Ministry has developed programs aimed at upskilling and reskilling Nigerian youths to prepare them for the evolving job market.
‘The Ministry is playing a key role in mediating labour disputes, fostering industrial peace, and ensuring fair treatment of workers across various sectors’.
