The Chairman, of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Rivers State Chapter, Comrade Ikechuckwu Onyefuru, has said the union will continue to propagate the welfare and general wellbeing of Rivers Workers and Nigerian citizenry in this new year.
Stating this in a press release signed by him, the Chairman said “it is incumbent on us to sustain constructive engagement with government and continue to hold our leaders accountable, and also contribute actively to the building of a nation we can be proud of”.
Onyefuru said he believes the year ahead holds immense potential for progress and positive change, “upon which we can reflect on a future built on the foundations of transparency, accountability, good governance, and immense development.
“We would like to welcome you all to year 2024 with great delight and gratitude to God Almighty who showed us mercy and grace.
“It is my prayers and expectation that the year 2024 brings with it a renewed hope, opportunities for collective growth and betterment of all workers in Rivers State and Nigeria”, he said.
He also prayed for the restoration of peace in Rivers State and urged all parties to sheathe their sword and work towards the betterment of Rivers people and the state.
He further called on the State Government to “provide more employment opportunities for the youths, contributing to building an economic stable nation to reduce inflation and increase foreign exchange, revive small and medium scale industries, create an enabling environment where businesses can thrive.
“This is without neglect to the provision of basic infrastructures, including roads, electricity, and water. Nigerian workers must earn good salaries to ameliorate rising inflation with attendant high cost of living.
“Consequently, we call for minimum wage upward review without further delay.
“We reject the burden of unequal pay for equal work. We demand an end to an order of casual workers and strongly call for decent and protection of workers.
“Workers need to be comfortable, to be more productive. Every employer, both private and public sector should make their employees happy by providing a conducive environment for them to work in with commensurate pay”.
According to him, Nigerian government has always shown unseriousness to the issue of workers’ welfare, the poor working conditions and insecurity challenges.
“The union is tired of the situation where workers are exposed to worsening health and safety situations with increased cases of occupational deaths and workplace incidents.
“Furthermore, Nigeria in recent times has witnessed an unprecedented high level of insecurity across some states of the nation with so many people killed from the banditry attacks.
“The most recent is the massacre in Plateau State that left hundreds of person’s lifeless, where children, women harmless individuals were slaughtered like animals.
“We totally condemn this inhumane act and demand that urgent steps be immediately taken by government to put an end to this nightmare on Nigerian citizenry”, he urged.
Onyefuru also noted that the Union’s ultimate goal is to ensure that the plight of workers is brought to the front burner and through an effective dialogue and engagement with government at all levels.
He further prayed for the restoration of peace in Rivers State and urge all parties to sheathe their sword and work towards the betterment of Rivers people and the state.

Iragunima Benice