Protect The Rights of Workers: NLC/TUC Charge Government

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, Bayelsa State Chapter, have called on governments at all levels to take deliberate steps to protect the rights of workers at all times.
Speaking in Yenagoa during this year’s May Day celebration, the state NLC chairman, Simon Barnabas who read the speech of organised labour said that there is no plan in the present policy of the Federal Government to increase workers’ pay.
The organised labour also demanded that the Bayelsa State government should implement the 2022 promotions for state government workers as well as 2021 and 2022 for local government workers.
It also called on the Prosperity Government to consider for implementation, the new 65 years retirement age and 40 years of pensionable service for the educational sector, adding that the new age policies have been implemented in Delta, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Zamfara and other states.
He said, “In the face of the challenges in the country, government should and must take deliberate steps to protect the rights of workers at all times.
“There is no justice in the present policy of the federal government to increase workers allowances on consolidated salary structure by 40 per cent only to remove fuel subsidy without proper negotiations and discussion with the organised labour.
“We believe that if the plan of government is fully implemented, the Nigerian worker will be further impoverished. The best way out is to fix the nation’s refineries as fuel importation remains a sham for a privileged few and an economic sabotage to the nation.
“Organised labour requests the state government to implement promotion for 2022 for state government workers as well as 2021 and 2022 for local government workers’ labour”.
The organized labour reminded government of a backlog of unpaid promotion arrears.
“In a similar vein, labour wishes to draw the attention of government to the fact that payment of promotion arrears from 2015 to 2017 is still pending.
“Labour demands that government should implement the consequential adjustment of N30,000 minimum wage for pensioners in the state.
“Labour is seizing this opportunity to call on government to regularize the employment of the casual staff of the State Environmental Sanitation Authority who have been on casual engagement for the past six years”.
Responding to the demands made by the organised labour, Governor Douye Diri promised to improve on power generation in the state, disclosing that the state will also get its own power station.
The governor also directed the secretary to the state government, SSG, to work out modalities for the absorption of the casual staff directing that vehicles for NLC and TUC should be released immediately.
He said, “On casual staff, the SSG should come up with solution to the issue.
“On power, I therefore direct the honourable commissioner of Power and the managing director of Bayelsa Electricity to immediately rectify the challenges of power with a view to owning our own power station”.
He urged all to reflect on the common enemies of poverty, insecurity and underdevelopment, stressing that his administration is strongly investing in infrastructure to attract investments to the state.
“Let us all remind ourselves of the things we are collectively fighting against and who our common enemies are. We are fighting against poverty, insecurity, underdevelopment, poor healthcare and infrastructure, among others.
“We are uncompromisingly investing in and developing the necessary infrastructure to attract businesses and create jobs for the people of the state.
“In the health sector, we are constructing and equipping medical centres in all our local government areas, have engaged different categories of health workers and introduced cutting-edge technology into the system.
“As we all know, security is a must so that we sleep with our two eyes closed as well as guarantee the safety of investors and workers. That is why our primary security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo alongside the Bayelsa Volunteers and Bayelsa Vigilante have been streamlined into an umbrella body and we further beefed up our boots on the ground with the engagement of the first batch of over 600 personnel through the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps. By several accounts, we are one of the safest states to work and live in Nigeria”.
He assured Labour that working together with government, things will turnaround for the better.
“You have my assurance that together we can build and recreate our state, producing our shared prosperity and the Greater Bayelsa that our founding fathers dreamed of; united and free”.
He noted that progress can only be guaranteed under an enabling environment adding, that the state government is working hard to create such to propel development, create jobs and engender prosperity.
“All over the world, the capacity of government to employ labour is limited. That is why we must create an enabling environment that supports the growth and development of our private sector to employ more people. This Government of Prosperity is working to engender the conditions for job creation and to promote economic growth that benefits all workers.
“In celebrating the achievements of workers, I am the first to recognise that notwithstanding the progress that has been made in improving working conditions and benefits, there is still more to be done.
“So, even as we celebrate today, we do not pretend we have no challenges. We know that there is yet more work that still needs to be done. By coming together and continuing to advocate for ourselves and each other, we can create a better future for ourselves, our families, and our communities”.
Diri commended the workers for their contributions especially essential workers.
“The contributions of workers across all sectors of our society, including but not limited to healthcare professionals, teachers, essential workers, or those working in the security sector, are irreplaceable to the growth, development and prosperity of our state. We stand in solidarity with all cadres of workers and thank you, as we continue to work indefatigably for the general good”.