Party wants FG to give priority to workers’ security, welfare
Welfare
Diana Orouvie-Omueza
Abuja, May 2, 2018(NAN) The Democratic People’s Congress (DPC) has called on the Federal Government to intensify effort in ensuring the protection and welfare of Nigerian workers guaranteed by the constitution.
The political partys’ National Chairman, Rev. Olusegun Peters, made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Peters said that the May Day celebration was a timely call for the government to put in more effort in protecting and rewarding its workers.
He said that the constitution provided that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
He urged the Federal Government to approve labour’s proposed new minimum wage, to alleviate the sufferings of civil servants and improve their standard of living.
“Civil servants work so hard, earn so little and owed so much. Enough of the oppression of fellow compatriots.’’
According to Peters, the current wage of N18,000 is not applicable today due to the high cost of living that has made life unbearable for most Nigerians, particularly civil servants.
He said that the free fall of naira in foreign exchange market contributed to the economic woes of the nation.
Peters said that in most countries, workers received adequate remunerations for their services which motivated them to serve better.
He called on state governments to settle all outstanding salary arrears owed workers in preparation for the take off of the new wage.
“The era of owing workers while top public office holders live in luxury from looted funds is over.
“We demand immediate payments of pensions and gratuities of the nation’s retirees.
“It is unfair, unjust and wicked to owe retired workers billions of naira due to them, having spent their productive years in service to the fatherland.
“It is unacceptable and despicable,’’ he said.(NAN)
DOM/IA
(Edited by Idris Abdulrahman)