Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Enugu state chapter, Comrade Nwobodo Virginius, and other leaders of the NLC have called for improved welfare of the workers in the state.
The NLC leaders made this call during the celebration of the 2020 International Workers Day held at the Teachers House, Nigeria Union of Teachers Secretariat in Enugu.
The Enugu State NLC Chairman, Comrade Virginus Nwobodo hinted that the essence of the worker’s day celebration includes appraising and reappraise the situation of the workers at the different workplaces.
Nwobodo reiterated that the 8th of October every year is a global celebration for the workers and in keeping with the standard of workers globally.
Nwobodo further highlighted that the union members would reach out to their different employers in their sectors with the view of creating a conducive environment for the workers.
He draws the attention of the employers of labor on the need for the provision of protective tools, gadgets, and equipment against hazards during the covid19 pandemic. He added that the health and security of the workers should be prioritized.
Reacting to the challenges been experienced in their sectors, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Enugu, (NANNM), Comrade Ezekiel Omeh lamented the poor and harsh conditions meted out to nurses in Enugu state.
Omeh added that nurses were often hired and fired at will, while some are pulled out from reputable hospitals in the state and transferred to remote/rural areas in the name of posting.
In his words, we as civil servants we are governed by the civil service rules, but some of these rules we’re observed in the bridge when it comes to nurses.
He added that a circular was issued and approved for payment of nurses as salaries since 2006, and implemented nationwide since 2010 but not paid in Enugu state up to date.
He added that even when the federal government implemented ten percent in 2018, nurses were divided into two such that more than half of the nurses were not paid.
“As a trade union, we followed the trade union rules in whatever we do and this necessitated the fact that before we agitate or go on strike we follow the process of agitation and then when we issue our ultimatum and eventually went on strike we were faced with litigation. And right now I am standing here as a candidate of prison simply because I followed the dying process of prosecuting strike, he added.
I am standing here as a candidate of Prison simply because we followed the due process
Also, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Agriculture & Allied Employees (NUAES), Comrade Rowland Ikechineke hinted that some departments in the ministry of agriculture have been segregated in terms of the hazard allowances.
Rowland noted that the building the ministry is occupying currently is in a dilapidated state, and needed urgent attention.
He regretted that working in a bad environment like a dilapidated build affects the performance of the workers. He, therefore, added that with improved working conditions, the output will be far better than in an unhabitable office.
