. APC Assures On Improved Livelihood
. PDP Promises Workers Better Wage From 2019
Senate President Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the House of Representatives, were forced to leave Eagle Square in Abuja during the workers’ day rally on Monday.
Chris Ngige, minister of labour, and Adams Oshiomole were among the dignitaries who also left the venue abruptly.
Trouble started after Ngige sent Biola Bawa, permanent secretary in the ministry of labour, to deliver his speech.
Ngige sent Bawa because he represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion.
The workers refused to listen to the permanent secretary, who left after all efforts to address the audience proved abortive.
Ngige came forward after the official left, but he was booed.
Not even Oshiomhole, a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), could pacify the workers who were protesting poor minimum wage.
When it was obvious that the protesters would not back down, security operatives of Saraki and Dogara, whisked them out of the state box to their vehicles and they left the venue.
Other government officials also left. After the departure of the guests, the workers continued with the programme.
Saraki and Dogara had earlier released statements to felicitate with the workers.
In a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his special adviser on media and publicity, Saraki lauded the resilience and commitment of workers in both the formal and informal sector, describing their contribution to the nation and the economy as priceless.
On his part, Dogara pledged the commitment of the house to passing a new minimum wage bill.
Speaking through Turaki Hassan, his media aide, Dogara increasing workers’ salary and wages have become necessary in view of the current inflation, naira devaluation and rising cost of living.
Speaking on the ‘May Day’, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue to work hard to improve the livelihood of every citizen.
The party gave the assurance in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
It particularly congratulated Nigerian workers in the formal and informal sectors on the 2017 Workers’ Day celebration.
The party commended workers for their support in the ongoing task to build a new Nigeria and bring the much-desired change by the citizenry.
It acknowledged that without doubts, the economic recession had had an effect on the livelihoods of many working families and businesses in the country.
It, however, expressed happiness that the country’s economy was gradually coming out of recession.
The APC said the task of improving workers welfare, creating conducive business environment to attract investments and grow existing businesses was a tripartite effort among labour unions, private sector and government.
It said that the Federal Government currently controlled by it had formulated and implemented policies that supported business growth and ensured rewarding jobs for all.
It recalled that the government had at two instances bailed out states with crisis of non-payment of salaries to ensure that workers did not suffer unduly.
According to it, the Federal Government has so far committed huge resources to the execution of affordable houses for civil servants under the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme launched in 2016.
It, therefore, called on the workers to continue to support government’s effort to better the lives of the citizenry and return the country to its deserved heights.
Also, the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, said the party would pay reasonable minimum wage to workers if it returned to power in 2019.
In a statement signed by his deputy, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, on Monday in Abuja, Sheriff congratulated the workers on the 2017 Workers’ Day, and urged them to put in more efforts in making Nigeria great.
He said that the appeal was important as the country needed everyone to be involved in the rebuilding process that would take it to greater heights.
“When we take over power, we shall address minimum wage that will ensure workers’ pay will not only take them home, but will be able to also cater for the families and pay school fees.
“We understand the difficulties the nation is going through at the moment, but a government can only be changed through the ballots.
“2019 will be another opportunity to change power; then, the workers will know what it means to have PDP back in power,” Sheriff said.
He said that the PDP was not just seeking to take over power, but was also looking forward to partnering Labour to emancipate citizens, no matter their tribes or religions.