New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has congratulated Nigerian workers for their courage and tenacity in wading through the harsh economic situation in the country.
In a statement to commemorate Workers’ Day in Abuja, the party said they deserve better for a “reasonable and higher standard of living.”
The statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, noted the efforts of the government on the minimum wage for workers, but lamented that many states of the federation had yet to implement the policy.
Bemoaning the challenge of low wages, job insecurity and inclement work environment, among other issues, that confront the Nigerian worker, the party described rising inflation and its negative effect on the masses and workers as a worrisome matter and a great concern to its National Working Committee (NWC) led by Dr Ahmed Aduji.
This, it said, was against the spirit and letters of the theme for this year’s May Day celebration, which is ‘Social Justice and Decent Work for All’.
NNPP, therefore, called on governments at all levels to cut the cost of governance and prioritise workers’ welfare as a cardinal concern in their policies and programmes.
The party urged defaulting states to pay the minimum wage, gratuity arrears and create better working conditions for workers.
Non-remittance of contributions into the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) by public and private sector employers was also highlighted by the NNPP as a major concern that needed to be addressed in the interest of Nigerian workers.
