Ahead of planned easing of the lockdown imposed in Lagos, Ogun
and the Federal Capital Territory, by the Federal Government, on
account of the Covid-19 pandemic, leadership of the Nigeria Labour
Congress has cautioned government at various levels not to
contemplate stoppage or reduction in staff salaries.
President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba who sounded the note of warning in
Abuja on Tuesday, said many health workers are currently on the
frontline of duty salvaging the country from coronavirus, hence it
would be illogical to cut workers pay at this time.
Wabba’s warning came against the backdrop of the Commemoration
of the 2020 International Workers Memorial Workers’ Day which is
observed every April 28, globally.
This year’s commemoration which has as its theme “Stop the
Pandemic at Work”, came amidst the global fight against the novel
corona virus disease otherwise known as Covid-19.
Although many nations are grappling with how to contain the
virus, it has already taken a negative toll on world economies,
prompting speculations that workers might become the worst victims
either through mass sack or pay cut.
“In reciprocation of the enormous sacrifice made by workers, we
urge employers of labour to show solidarity with the sacrifice of
our workers and people by ensuring wage protection, income support
and social inclusion at these trying times. This is not the time to
stop or deduct from workers’ salaries.
“Such an action would be both illogical and illegal as workers’
salaries are core elements of employment contracts and collective
bargaining agreements. We have asked our affiliates and state
councils to resist any salary deduction on the account of Covid-19,
” NLC said in a statement.
The apex Labour union, also took a swipe on private sector
employers, saying they should complement efforts of government at
providing Personal Protective Equipments PPE, and other social
welfare buffers for their workers in this trying period of the
virus.
According to Wabba workers on the frontline of duty are faced
with insufficient personal protection equipment, hand sanitizers,
functional wash rooms, suitable rest rooms and other facilities to
make their work less herculean than it is already.
His words, “the contribution of frontline workers especially
healthcare workers has become the only buffer between deaths in
thousands and deaths in millions. Every day, our healthcare workers
courageously dare the stare of death in selfless service to rescue
the lives of others.”
“On a day like this, we salute the uncommon love, faith,
courage, and sacrifice by frontline workers who have given more
than what the call of duty demands to give hope to humanity. We
will forever remain indebted to thousands of our healthcare
workers, transport workers, utility employees, journalists and even
workers in the informal sector who have continued to show up at
their duty posts despite the threat of death, dearth of working
tools and paucity of gratitude.”
“We condole with the families of workers who have paid the
supreme sacrifice in the fight against Covid-19. We assure you that
their labours will not be in vain. Their unquantifiable sacrifice
will never be forgotten.”
“We also wish to use this commemoration to ask government and
employers in the private sector to throw in sufficient weight to
make the load of our frontline workers easier.”
“We demand sufficient personal protection equipment, hand
sanitizers, functional wash rooms, suitable rest rooms and other
facilities to make the work of our brave warriors on the health
frontline less herculean than it already is.”
“Our health workers and other frontline workers are not on a
suicide mission. They simply want to save lives. The least
government and employers can do is to help them keep their lives so
that they can go on saving other lives.”
“We commend the Federal government for the insurance cover and
enhanced incentives provided for frontline health workers. We urge
states to follow suit. We also commend the Sokoto State government
for leading the way in this regard. We wish to stress that this
gesture of support incentives should be equally bestowed on all
health workers as members of one team fighting one deadly
biological enemy”.
While declaring that this year’s May Day festivities marked
every May 29th would be low key owing to the pandemic, Wabba
advised government as part of smart measures to restart the
economy, to intensify Covid-19 testing.
He said part of such measures would be to build at least a test
centre in each state, then intensify contact tracing, public
fumigation, and robust public health education.
“Given the current lockdown and in line with global realities,
this year’s May Day will be observed in low key. We have, however,
earmarked a number of symbolic events including solidarity visits
and gestures to our incredibly brave frontline workers. We will
find innovative ways to ensure that all Nigerian workers receive
our 2020 May Day Message.”
“We reassure our workers that our priority in these trying times
remains the cautious, gradual, evidence-led and smart restart of
the economy so that our workers can go back to work. We are also
completely committed to the recovery of lost jobs, protection of
wages, support for income and livelihood and improvement of
Nigeria’s social safety net”.
Ahead of planned easing of the lockdown imposed in Lagos, Ogun
and the Federal Capital Territory, by the Federal Government, on
account of the Covid-19 pandemic, leadership of the Nigeria Labour
Congress has cautioned government at various levels not to
contemplate stoppage or reduction in staff salaries.
President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba who sounded the note of warning in
Abuja on Tuesday, said many health workers are currently on the
frontline of duty salvaging the country from coronavirus, hence it
would be illogical to cut workers pay at this time.
Wabba’s warning came against the backdrop of the Commemoration
of the 2020 International Workers Memorial Workers’ Day which is
observed every April 28, globally.
This year’s commemoration which has as its theme “Stop the
Pandemic at Work”, came amidst the global fight against the novel
corona virus disease otherwise known as Covid-19.
Although many nations are grappling with how to contain the
virus, it has already taken a negative toll on world economies,
prompting speculations that workers might become the worst victims
either through mass sack or pay cut.
“In reciprocation of the enormous sacrifice made by workers, we
urge employers of labour to show solidarity with the sacrifice of
our workers and people by ensuring wage protection, income support
and social inclusion at these trying times. This is not the time to
stop or deduct from workers’ salaries.
“Such an action would be both illogical and illegal as workers’
salaries are core elements of employment contracts and collective
bargaining agreements. We have asked our affiliates and state
councils to resist any salary deduction on the account of Covid-19,
” NLC said in a statement.
The apex Labour union, also took a swipe on private sector
employers, saying they should complement efforts of government at
providing Personal Protective Equipments PPE, and other social
welfare buffers for their workers in this trying period of the
virus.
According to Wabba workers on the frontline of duty are faced
with insufficient personal protection equipment, hand sanitizers,
functional wash rooms, suitable rest rooms and other facilities to
make their work less herculean than it is already.
His words, “the contribution of frontline workers especially
healthcare workers has become the only buffer between deaths in
thousands and deaths in millions. Every day, our healthcare workers
courageously dare the stare of death in selfless service to rescue
the lives of others.”
“On a day like this, we salute the uncommon love, faith,
courage, and sacrifice by frontline workers who have given more
than what the call of duty demands to give hope to humanity. We
will forever remain indebted to thousands of our healthcare
workers, transport workers, utility employees, journalists and even
workers in the informal sector who have continued to show up at
their duty posts despite the threat of death, dearth of working
tools and paucity of gratitude.”
“We condole with the families of workers who have paid the
supreme sacrifice in the fight against Covid-19. We assure you that
their labours will not be in vain. Their unquantifiable sacrifice
will never be forgotten.”
“We also wish to use this commemoration to ask government and
employers in the private sector to throw in sufficient weight to
make the load of our frontline workers easier.”
“We demand sufficient personal protection equipment, hand
sanitizers, functional wash rooms, suitable rest rooms and other
facilities to make the work of our brave warriors on the health
frontline less herculean than it already is.”
“Our health workers and other frontline workers are not on a
suicide mission. They simply want to save lives. The least
government and employers can do is to help them keep their lives so
that they can go on saving other lives.”
“We commend the Federal government for the insurance cover and
enhanced incentives provided for frontline health workers. We urge
states to follow suit. We also commend the Sokoto State government
for leading the way in this regard. We wish to stress that this
gesture of support incentives should be equally bestowed on all
health workers as members of one team fighting one deadly
biological enemy”.
While declaring that this year’s May Day festivities marked
every May 29th would be low key owing to the pandemic, Wabba
advised government as part of smart measures to restart the
economy, to intensify Covid-19 testing.
He said part of such measures would be to build at least a test
centre in each state, then intensify contact tracing, public
fumigation, and robust public health education.
“Given the current lockdown and in line with global realities,
this year’s May Day will be observed in low key. We have, however,
earmarked a number of symbolic events including solidarity visits
and gestures to our incredibly brave frontline workers. We will
find innovative ways to ensure that all Nigerian workers receive
our 2020 May Day Message.”
“We reassure our workers that our priority in these trying times
remains the cautious, gradual, evidence-led and smart restart of
the economy so that our workers can go back to work. We are also
completely committed to the recovery of lost jobs, protection of
wages, support for income and livelihood and improvement of
Nigeria’s social safety net”.