…Obi, Atiku task FG on job creation
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), yesterday called on the Federal Government to raise the retirement age for all civil servants to 65 years or 40 years of service, aligning with conditions already granted to select sectors.The union, also demanded the withdrawal of Tax Bills.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrades Joe Ajaero and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, who made the appeal while presenting the union’s key demands during the May Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja yesterday, also urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse what it describes as the unconstitutional suspension of the elected Government of Rivers State via a state of emergency.
“It is imperative to extend the revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges to all public servants,” Ajaero stated.
He emphasised that equal treatment across all categories of civil servants would promote fairness, boost morale, and enhance efficiency in the public sector.
The labour leaders urged the Federal and state governments to cease actions that erode the civic space and deepen it for the sake of the nation.
It demanded democratic accountability, built on transparent governance, electoral reforms, and an end to the suppression of dissent.
Labour urged the Federal Government to end what it calls the genocidal killings and bloodletting across the country, saying the number one duty of the government is ensuring the safety of lives and property of the citizens.
On the tax bills before the National Assembly, the organised labour has called for their withdrawal to allow Nigerian workers to sit at the table where it is being conceived.
According to the organised labour, the tax bills, crafted without the input of the NLC and the TUC, impose a burden on workers while letting the rich and corporations off the hook.
On the hike in the telecommunication tariff, the labour demanded an immediate reduction from 50 percent to 35 percent.
Furthermore, the organised Labour has demanded an immediate salary adjustment that is commensurate to the current economic realities in the country.
Other demands by the Labour are immediate payment of all outstanding allowances, pensions and gratuities across the nation; restoration of gratuity payments; upward review of retirement age; automatic adjustment of pensions to reflect inflationary trends.
..Obi, Atiku task FG on job creation, unemployment reduction
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, have celebrated Nigerian workers on the occasion of the Workers Day.
Obi, in his message yesterday, said workers have shown their resilience and commitment to national growth despite the harsh economic realities.
“The struggles and harsh realities facing our dear workers in our nation, presently contending with severe economic and political challenges, are obvious. Despite these very challenging times, our Nigerian workers have continued to show resilience and commitment to the nation’s growth.
“On this International Workers’ Day, we celebrate the tireless efforts of our Nigerian workers, whose unwavering commitment and immense contributions drive our nation’s growth and development.
“A day like this offers us the opportunity to appreciate every Nigerian worker at different levels of government, across different agencies, private industries and business sectors – your legitimate labours form the energy that propels our nation,” he stated.
The former Anambra governor also decried the level of unemployment in the country putting the fiure at 35 per cent.
“On this International Worker’s Day, we celebrate the tireless efforts of our Nigerian workers, whose unwavering commitment and immense contributions drive our nation’s growth and development. A day like this offers us the opportunity to appreciate every Nigerian worker.
He called on the Federal Government to ensure that youths are duly employed to reduce criminal activities and other social vices.
“Notwithstanding the recent reconfiguration of our economic indices, the reality is that today, Nigeria has an unemployment and under-employment rate of over 35% and a youth unemployment and under-employment rate of over 45%, which is one of the highest globally, fuelling all sorts of criminality and social vices.
“Aggressive investment in the productive population remains the best and fastest route to bridging this shortage of well-trained workers and moving our nation from consumption to production. This, as I have consistently maintained, we can achieve by investing in education, health and fighting poverty through job creation and support for small businesses.
“As a nation, we must create an environment that fosters growth, provides opportunities, and ensures fair compensation. We must recognise the dignity of labour and promote a culture of respect and appreciation for all workers,” Obi stated.
For Atiku, the “Nigerian worker stands as the indomitable engine propelling our nation towards its long-sought prosperity.”
The Nigerian worker stands as the indomitable engine propelling our nation towards its long-sought prosperity.
In the face of relentless hardship and meager compensation, Nigerian workers have continued to bear the burdens of our economic aspirations with silent heroism. Yet,…
He said, despite the hardship, Nigerian workers have continued to bear the burdens of economic aspirations with silent heroism.
“Yet, it is disheartening that those entrusted with the reins of policy and governance have failed to reciprocate this steadfast commitment with tangible acts of support and justice.
“The labour force is the soul of our nation. It is both the face and the force of the people. It is thus imperative that governments and employers alike erect unyielding safeguards to protect the dignity, benefits, and entitlements that justly belong to the worker.
“I hereby urge policy makers to draw inspiration from the theme of this year’s celebration, and to embrace the labour force not as a mere tool but as an equal partner in the journey to national greatness,” he said.