Worker's day

* Ogun workers demand ‘stomach infrastructure 
* Workers forfeit N3.8bn promotion arrears in C’ River
* Parallel May Day rallies hold in Lagos
* Saraki urges workers
* Bayelsa laments economic woes
* ‘Unpaid salaries made us irresponsible at home’

"Ogun workers demand ‘stomach infrastructure"
The workers in Ogun State under aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, on Sunday asked Governor Ibikunle Amosun to improve the welfare of human capital components of the state and not only on infrastructural development.

They also called on the Federal Government to fix the economy, bad roads and the epileptic electricity supply, among others.

These were some of their demands at the 2016 May Day celebrations, held on Sunday at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

In his speech, the state Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Ogun chapter, Olubunmi Fajobi, who commended the governor for the huge success in the infrastructural development in the state, noted that there should be commensurate attention to the welfare of the workforce, because, according to him, “a hungry man is an angry man.”

Workers forfeit N3.8bn promotion arrears in C’ River

Civil Servants in Cross River State on Sunday said they have forfeited four-year promotion arrears amounting to N3.8bn to be used for the development of the state.

Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. John Ushie, disclosed this while presenting his speech during the 2016 May Day celebration in Calabar.

The arrears were accumulated between 2012 and 2016.

Ushie said that the decision to forfeit the arrears was taken following the observation by the NLC that the state government would not be able to pay the arrears as a result of the dwindling revenue.

According to him, demanding for the four years arrears will jeopardise the efforts of the government in promotion, hence the decision was taken to support the present administration.

“The labour leaders and workers have observed with kin interest the enormous responsibilities shouldered by Governor Ben Ayade of the state in the area of projects.

“Following this development, workers have decided to support this administration by sacrificing all monies accruing from arrears of promotion within 2012-2016 to the tune of about N3.8bn.

“The organised labour in the state are grateful to Governor Ayade for the prompt payment of workers’ salaries in the state,” he said.

Responding, Governor Ben Ayade gave an assurance that he would immediately address all the issues raised by the state NLC.

Parallel May Day rallies hold in Lagos

To commemorate the annual workers’ day celebration, two factions of the Nigeria Labour Congress held their rallies in two different locations in Lagos State.

While the state chapter of the Ayuba Wabba-led NLC held its rally at the Onikan stadium, Lagos Island, the Joseph Ajaero-led faction held its rally under the bridge in the front of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The two factions of the labour union charged the government to find a lasting solution to the perennial fuel scarcity and the poor performance of the privatised power generating and distribution firms in the country.

The factional NLC president, Ajaero, lamented that Nigerian workers had become victims of illegal lay-offs in the guise of the poor run in the oil industry, whereas they were excluded when there was boom in the sector.

He condemned governors and private companies, who were championing the sacking and de-unionisation of workers, warning them to desist from such acts.

He said, “Be reminded that Rochas Okorocha sacked hundreds of workers in his state without recourse to procedures, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company followed the same way while Indorama toed the same path in sacking hundreds in total disregard to our laws and statutes, Nigeria Liquefied Nigeria Gas Limited contractors have turned Nigerians into slaves in their respective places of operation.”

Speaking at the rally the Lagos State NLC Chairman, Idowu Adelakun, pointed out that the present economic challenges the country was facing was as a result of corruption and mismanagement of funds by the ruling class.

Saraki urges workers

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Sunday, urged Nigerian workers to be more committed in their service to the nation, especially at this time of economic strain.

He said the growth of the economy and overall development of the country depended on how much support workers gave to government’s policies, programmes and projects.

Bayelsa laments economic woes

 The Bayelsa State Government has joined Nigerians in congratulating the nation’s  workers on May Day, expressing the optimism that all will be well.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, said in a statement on Sunday thar workers remained the most critical component of Bayelsa.

He said workers act as vehicle to propagate policies of the government and give governance more meaning.

 According to him, the Workers’ Day is sadly coming at a time when the economic woes of the country and Bayelsa State are getting worse due to dwindling resources.

 ‘Unpaid salaries made us irresponsible at home’

Sequel to the non-payment of salaries, Ondo State workers have lamented that they the development had many of them irresponsible at their various homes as parents.

The civil servants in the state were being owed salaries of five months by the state government.

Speaking at the May Day celebration thanksgiving service held the C & S Church Movement,  Ijoka, Akure, on Sunday, the Chairman of the State Negotiating Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Sunday Adeleye, said the situation of the workers in the state was getting worse on a daily basis due to the non-payment of their salaries.