As the world commemorates the May Day celebration, dedicated to
workers, amidst the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister of
Labour and Employment, Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige, has called on
Nigerian Workers to develop and imbibe a common will to fight and
conquer the invisible enemy.
Ngige made the call in his May Day message to workers on
Thursday.
Against the backdrop of vulnerabilities of the COVID-19 pandemic
on livelihoods, Ngige, a medical doctor, said Government and Social
Partners would look at the four-pillar plan of policy responses to
COVID-19, laid out by International Labour Organisation (ILO) which
are intended to be human-centered and built on global
solidarity.
This, Ngige said, would be in addition to the Federal Government
plan of action to sustain the economy in the context of the current
global crisis.
He further assured that all relevant factors to the nation’s
workforce would be identified, analysed and solidified to ensure
job retention and continued realisation of decent work agenda.
He emphasized that Federal Government would be guided by labour
standards as benchmarks for social and employment protection at
this time of vulnerabilities.
He said talks were ongoing along this line, between the
Presidential Economic Sustainability Council and Employers on job
protection and even job creation at this time and progressively to
post COVID-19 crisis.
He stated that employers would not be encouraged to disengage
staff without prerequisite Social Dialogue and clearance from the
Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
He praised the workers in the healthcare sector for being in the
frontline of this war with the invisible enemy, just as he
expressed government appreciation to Health workers umbrella unions
(JOHESU) and for medical doctors, the Nigerian Medical Association
(NMA), for their professionalism and support at this time of global
health crisis.
The Labour Minister said: “Over the years, May 1 has been a
unique day in the world of work. As we all know, it is called May
Day, a day dedicated to workers as partners in socio – economic
development of the nations. Workers on this day are recognized as
an important limb in the tripod that sustains enterprises and
development. Workers, over the years celebrate May Day and in
Nigeria Marchings are conducted by Trade Unions and their
Federations in various stadia throughout the Federation.
“Today, May 1, 2020, is different. The stadia are empty and
there are echoes of silence. We are all taking refuge in our
respective homes and staying off the streets in a global bid to
stay alive and beat an invisible enemy called Covid-19. We stay at
home to minimize and eventually stop the spread of the covid-19
infection which has killed many people in the world and dwindled
life and economies. Offices, Workplaces, Businesses (small and
large scales), and Nations are closed. The Covid-19 outbreak has
laid seige on humanity and we must all develop and imbibe a common
will to fight and conquer this enemy.
“The covid-19 outbreak has affected modes of work and the
utilization of teleworking is on the increase. I therefore urge you
all to continue to do your best in that regard and to endeavour to
demarcate your personal life from work as you work from home,
although a bit difficult. It is a well known fact that arising from
the covid-19 crisis, businesses in both the private and public
sectors have suffered. Sustainability of the enterprise has become
a subject of concern. The worries precipitated by the covid-19
crisis are further compounded by worries of maintaining a source of
livelihood. In this regard, the Government and Social Partners
would have a look at the four – pillar plan of policy responses to
Covid-19 crisis laid out by the International Labour Organization
(ILO) which are intended to be human-centered and built on global
solidarity. This would be in addition to the Federal Government
evolving plan of action to sustain the economy in the context of
current global crisis. All relevant factors to the nation’s
workforce will be identified, analysed, and solidified to ensure
JOB RETENTION and the continued realization of the DECENT WORK
AGENDA. In doing this, we will be guided by the LABOUR STANDARDS as
benchmarks for social and employment protection at this time of
vulnerabilities.”
Ngige, once again, hailed employees in the Healthcare Sector for
their call to duty and selflessness to care for the sick and the
dying when no one else was allowed proximity to them due to the
nature of the covid-19 infection.
Ngige said apart from hazard allowances and life insurance,
Government, in addition, covered all the affected healthcare
workers with Employees Compensation Act for injuries disability
sustained and even death in the course of discharging their
duties.
While praying for God’s blessings on all who have so far
discharged their duties to humanity, Ngige however called on
employees in the science, technology, and research sector of the
economy to put on their thinking caps and join their colleagues
throughout the world and produce cure and/or vaccine for the
covid-19, for testing and other required processes and
procedures.
He said if Madagascar and Senegal had done it, we could also do
something greater or key into their knowledge to mass produce for
the Nigerian populace.
“My dear Nigerian workers, let me conclude my 2020 May Day
remarks by sharing with you the ILO laid – out workers’ response
options to the covid-19 crisis: “Efficient social dialogue at all
levels is essential for quick and effective action. Workers’
organizations can play an important role in participating in
decision making and policies responses to the crisis on COVID-19.
“Assist governments to make critical social, economic and
environmental protection policy decisions such as how to save jobs
without risking the health of workers, how to implement the
necessary COVID-19 measures without destroying livelihoods, how to
mobilize and allocate the human and financial resources necessary
without exacerbating the national debt crisis. How to extend social
protection to the most needy and how to protect incomes, jobs, and
rebuild, reshape and reorganise the economic and social
infrastructure and priorities beyond the crisis; “Contribute to the
prevention and protection of workers by giving reliable
information.
“Encourage responsible behaviour, cooperate with response
measures and stay calm.
“Promote solidarity and non-discrimination/stigmatisation of
workers and sick persons. 6.Since COVID-19 spreads mainly through
respiratory droplets good workplace hygiene practices are
essential, e.g. regular hand-washing, using hand and surface
sanitiser. 7.Reach out to UN country teams especially Resident
Coordinators and offer solutions from a trade union perspective” In
view of these proposed options for workers’ response, we can all
agree that the road to victory will require cooperation and
togetherness with social dialogue as a driving Instrument.
“I wish you all God’s Divine Mercy and Protection. Eschew fear
and its attendant ills. Observe all authorized guidelines on how to
stay safe at this time especially with the partial lift of the
lockdown for some States of the Federation. Wash your hands
regularly and observe Social Distancing. When the time comes,
return to your places with greater zeal to minimize crisis impact.
Believe that this too shall pass my comrades. God bless you all.
Long live Nigerian Workers! Long live the Federal Republic of
Nigeria!” Ngige said.
As the world commemorates the May Day celebration, dedicated to
workers, amidst the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister of
Labour and Employment, Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige, has called on
Nigerian Workers to develop and imbibe a common will to fight and
conquer the invisible enemy.
Ngige made the call in his May Day message to workers on
Thursday.
Against the backdrop of vulnerabilities of the COVID-19 pandemic
on livelihoods, Ngige, a medical doctor, said Government and Social
Partners would look at the four-pillar plan of policy responses to
COVID-19, laid out by International Labour Organisation (ILO) which
are intended to be human-centered and built on global
solidarity.
This, Ngige said, would be in addition to the Federal Government
plan of action to sustain the economy in the context of the current
global crisis.
He further assured that all relevant factors to the nation’s
workforce would be identified, analysed and solidified to ensure
job retention and continued realisation of decent work agenda.
He emphasized that Federal Government would be guided by labour
standards as benchmarks for social and employment protection at
this time of vulnerabilities.
He said talks were ongoing along this line, between the
Presidential Economic Sustainability Council and Employers on job
protection and even job creation at this time and progressively to
post COVID-19 crisis.
He stated that employers would not be encouraged to disengage
staff without prerequisite Social Dialogue and clearance from the
Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
He praised the workers in the healthcare sector for being in the
frontline of this war with the invisible enemy, just as he
expressed government appreciation to Health workers umbrella unions
(JOHESU) and for medical doctors, the Nigerian Medical Association
(NMA), for their professionalism and support at this time of global
health crisis.
The Labour Minister said: “Over the years, May 1 has been a
unique day in the world of work. As we all know, it is called May
Day, a day dedicated to workers as partners in socio – economic
development of the nations. Workers on this day are recognized as
an important limb in the tripod that sustains enterprises and
development. Workers, over the years celebrate May Day and in
Nigeria Marchings are conducted by Trade Unions and their
Federations in various stadia throughout the Federation.
“Today, May 1, 2020, is different. The stadia are empty and
there are echoes of silence. We are all taking refuge in our
respective homes and staying off the streets in a global bid to
stay alive and beat an invisible enemy called Covid-19. We stay at
home to minimize and eventually stop the spread of the covid-19
infection which has killed many people in the world and dwindled
life and economies. Offices, Workplaces, Businesses (small and
large scales), and Nations are closed. The Covid-19 outbreak has
laid seige on humanity and we must all develop and imbibe a common
will to fight and conquer this enemy.
“The covid-19 outbreak has affected modes of work and the
utilization of teleworking is on the increase. I therefore urge you
all to continue to do your best in that regard and to endeavour to
demarcate your personal life from work as you work from home,
although a bit difficult. It is a well known fact that arising from
the covid-19 crisis, businesses in both the private and public
sectors have suffered. Sustainability of the enterprise has become
a subject of concern. The worries precipitated by the covid-19
crisis are further compounded by worries of maintaining a source of
livelihood. In this regard, the Government and Social Partners
would have a look at the four – pillar plan of policy responses to
Covid-19 crisis laid out by the International Labour Organization
(ILO) which are intended to be human-centered and built on global
solidarity. This would be in addition to the Federal Government
evolving plan of action to sustain the economy in the context of
current global crisis. All relevant factors to the nation’s
workforce will be identified, analysed, and solidified to ensure
JOB RETENTION and the continued realization of the DECENT WORK
AGENDA. In doing this, we will be guided by the LABOUR STANDARDS as
benchmarks for social and employment protection at this time of
vulnerabilities.”
Ngige, once again, hailed employees in the Healthcare Sector for
their call to duty and selflessness to care for the sick and the
dying when no one else was allowed proximity to them due to the
nature of the covid-19 infection.
Ngige said apart from hazard allowances and life insurance,
Government, in addition, covered all the affected healthcare
workers with Employees Compensation Act for injuries disability
sustained and even death in the course of discharging their
duties.
While praying for God’s blessings on all who have so far
discharged their duties to humanity, Ngige however called on
employees in the science, technology, and research sector of the
economy to put on their thinking caps and join their colleagues
throughout the world and produce cure and/or vaccine for the
covid-19, for testing and other required processes and
procedures.
He said if Madagascar and Senegal had done it, we could also do
something greater or key into their knowledge to mass produce for
the Nigerian populace.
“My dear Nigerian workers, let me conclude my 2020 May Day
remarks by sharing with you the ILO laid – out workers’ response
options to the covid-19 crisis: “Efficient social dialogue at all
levels is essential for quick and effective action. Workers’
organizations can play an important role in participating in
decision making and policies responses to the crisis on COVID-19.
“Assist governments to make critical social, economic and
environmental protection policy decisions such as how to save jobs
without risking the health of workers, how to implement the
necessary COVID-19 measures without destroying livelihoods, how to
mobilize and allocate the human and financial resources necessary
without exacerbating the national debt crisis. How to extend social
protection to the most needy and how to protect incomes, jobs, and
rebuild, reshape and reorganise the economic and social
infrastructure and priorities beyond the crisis; “Contribute to the
prevention and protection of workers by giving reliable
information.
“Encourage responsible behaviour, cooperate with response
measures and stay calm.
“Promote solidarity and non-discrimination/stigmatisation of
workers and sick persons. 6.Since COVID-19 spreads mainly through
respiratory droplets good workplace hygiene practices are
essential, e.g. regular hand-washing, using hand and surface
sanitiser. 7.Reach out to UN country teams especially Resident
Coordinators and offer solutions from a trade union perspective” In
view of these proposed options for workers’ response, we can all
agree that the road to victory will require cooperation and
togetherness with social dialogue as a driving Instrument.
“I wish you all God’s Divine Mercy and Protection. Eschew fear
and its attendant ills. Observe all authorized guidelines on how to
stay safe at this time especially with the partial lift of the
lockdown for some States of the Federation. Wash your hands
regularly and observe Social Distancing. When the time comes,
return to your places with greater zeal to minimize crisis impact.
Believe that this too shall pass my comrades. God bless you all.
Long live Nigerian Workers! Long live the Federal Republic of
Nigeria!” Ngige said.