New Song For Nigerian Workers?

Nigeria joined the rest of the world yesterday, May 1, 2022, to celebrate International Workers’ Day, also
known as Labour Day. As usual, the Federal Government has declared a public holiday today, May 2, 2022, to commemorate the yearly event. We commend workers for their contributions to nation-building. We equally call on all tiers of government to reciprocate this gesture.
This year’s Labour Day was just another day of lost hope, minimal existence, poverty, squalor and unbridled display of corrupt wealth by political leaders. Indeed, it would have been unreasonable for workers to commemorate the May Day with fanfare when the work itself is threatened with extinction. Every day, workers shrink in number, compelling more burdens of the jobless on the few lucky breadwinners.
Beyond the procession, speeches, and display of camaraderie which sections of organised labour might have embarked upon, there is an urgent need to explore fresh remedies to tackle perennial workers’ challenges. Directly, workers’ predicament in this country is the effect of the government’s ineptitude to the hallowed duty of governance. At all levels, leaders have failed to enact workers-oriented policies and programmes. They have stolen public funds meant to alleviate jobholders’ suffering.
For Nigerian employees, May Day is an occasion for labour leaders to draw the government’s attention to the plight of their members amidst rising inflation and soaring food prices. The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the earnings of over 70 per cent of the workers in the country. Many of them have lost their jobs because of the pandemic, while some have had their wages dramatically slashed.
Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as of the fourth quarter of 2020, stated that only 46.4 million Nigerians were in employment out of the 122.04 million economically active people aged between 15 and 64. Furthermore, only 30 million Nigerians were reported to be in full-time employment, while 15.9 million were under-employed. According to NBS selected banking sector data for the fourth quarter of 2020, the Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria sacked about 8,584 workers in 2020 following the impact of the Covid-19.
The World Bank says the unemployment rate in Nigeria rose five-fold in the last 10 years. From 6.4 per cent in 2010 to 33.3 per cent at the end of 2020, the Bank said the significant increase affected Nigerian youths in their quest to find gainful employment opportunities. In March, the NBS reported that Nigeria’s unemployment rate climbed to 33.3 per cent in the fourth quarter (Q4) 2020 from 27.1 recorded in the second quarter (Q2) 2020.
The NBS had moreover said 23.18 million persons in Nigeria either did nothing or worked for less than 20 hours a week, making them unemployed during the fourth quarter (Q4) 2020. The worsening insecurity across the country, especially the conflict between farmers and herders in the food belt of the country, has contributed to the increase in the prices of food items and other consumables.
With dwindling revenue and a poor tax base, it has become increasingly difficult for many states to pay the new minimum wage of N30,000. More than two years after the new wage took effect, no fewer than 11 states are yet to begin implementation, while three states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are enforcing it partially. Therefore, we urge the affected states to drastically cut down the cost of governance, especially their security votes to enable them to fulfil this sacred obligation.
Workers across the 36 states also observed this year’s International Workers’ Day. Here in Rivers State, workers and labour unions commended the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for ensuring regular payment of salaries and monthly pensions. Recognising the significance of employees and pensioners, Wike not only effected the N30,000 minimum wage, but recently pay rolled 1,119 pensioners with effect from April and directed the disbursement of gratuities, death benefits and pension arrears also with effect from this month. As the fabric that makes up the society, workers should reciprocate the governor’s gesture by remaining productive and committed to duty.
It is time governments made the work environment conducive for workers by paying them a living wage, a salary that can take them home. Shamefully, university teachers, under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have been on strike for the better part of this year.
Thankfully and worthy of note is the fact that ASUU members in Rivers State government-owned universities are not on strike beacuse they are not affected by the issues responsible for the strike by thier national body. The work environment in Nigeria has witnessed more strikes in recent times than ever before. These industrial actions, which the government appears unwilling to redress, have degenerated into economic and social woes, the brunt of which Nigerian workers bear.
We must all lament the worsening national economy, which again has impacted adversely on workers and their dependents. Salaries are poor where they are paid at all. It is not uncommon for workplaces to owe workers up to six months’ salaries. Subsequently, living standards and morale are low, along with poor productivity. Industries blame their under capacity on the harsh business environment, featuring huge capital outlay, and low returns.
Constant power outages and gross inefficiency in providing public electricity have all but extinguished hope of recovery. In effect, industries that relocated to other countries with more satisfactory conditions have not contemplated returning. To further underscore the absence of political integrity in the handling of workers’ affairs, the Federal Government has not been able to resuscitate the textile industry, which traditionally was about the largest single source of employment.
Added to this lethargy is the government’s imposition of multiple taxes and levies on workers, including small and medium scale industries that otherwise could provide jobs. Some states are guiltier of this than others, but it shows insensitivity to workers’ plight. These taxes should be harmonised and made real to the prevailing economic recession. A regime desperate to tax citizens as a revenue-making venture, without alluding to the difficult times they are going through, is antithetical to job creation.
The workplace environment remains hazardous for most workers, who are cheated and violated at will. Nigerian workers are still subjected to dehumanising working conditions, including casualisation and pay that is less than a living wage. Workers can no longer rely on the government to steer them into safety and prosperity. Therefore, they should use this occasion to ponder on problems affecting them, find a lasting solution and restore hope in themselves.