NLC Boss Warns Nigerians Over Second Wave Of COVID-19

WORRIED by the rapidity of infection of the second wave of the
ravaging coronavirus pandemic in the country, the National
Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged
Nigerians not to let down their guard.

The NLC boss gave this admonition at the weekend during his
yuletide message.

In a statement signed by Comrade Ayuba Wabba while admitting
that COVID-19 led to great dislocation, despair and various other
forms of socio-economic upheavals, he however said Nigerians should
look forward to a bright new year with hope, inspiration and
comfort.

In the statement which reads in part, Wabba noted that, “The
current vicissitudes that punctuated the year 2020 will give rise
to a better and brighter 2021. We believe that the afflictions of
the Year 2020 will soon give way to a glorious triumph for Nigerian
workers, their families and indeed for the Nigerian nation,” adding
that “In the midst of a devastating COVID-19 pandemic, the
application of Nigerian frontline workers to their duties was the
difference in deaths in millions, as predicted in some parts of the
world, and deaths in hundreds as we have been able to curtail the
effect and impact of the landfall of the novel corona virus on our
shores.”

The NLC top brass also acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices
of frontline workers including healthcare workers, road transport
workers, aviation workers, maritime workers, sanitation workers,
agriculture workers, journalists, informal sector workers, and
security personnel for leading the great battle against the menace
of COVID-19.

He was however quick to add that, “We can make the sacrifice of
our fallen heroes count as we renew our commitment to stopping the
unrelenting virus even as it threatens a second global wave. We
honour the memory of workers who gave their lives so we live when
we maintain and improve on the health protocols that can help keep
us, our families, our friends, and our colleagues safe.”

The temptation to throw caution to the winds will be rife this
festive season, he stressed, adding that this is not the time to be
complacent.

“COVID-19 is real. The second wave of the deadly virus is
palpable. We can mitigate against its impact if we observe all the
necessary health protocols – wash our hands always with soap and
running water, use hand sanitisers all the time, keep social
distancing, wear mask when in public places, report any sign of
COVID-19 to designated health authorities and submit to treatment
once diagnosed.”

Nigerians, especially workers, Wabba noted, “Have suffered a lot
of downturns and reversals this year. While wages remained
constant, fuel and electricity prices have been severally and
arbitrarily increased inducing a galloping inflation. Government
must steer away from making workers’ burden an ounce more grievous.
This will be resisted. Workers cannot be the cannon fodder for the
misgovernance of successive years.

“While we encourage workers to adhere to health safety protocols
as issued by relevant authorities coordinating the national effort
against COVID-19, we call on government to balance the options of
another lockdown with its capacity to live up to its responsibility
of catering to the welfare of workers and citizens that such
lockdown would rob of their means of livelihood. The public tumults
linked to the last lockdown instruct that compassion, consultation
and communication must lead.”

WORRIED by the rapidity of infection of the second wave of the
ravaging coronavirus pandemic in the country, the National
Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged
Nigerians not to let down their guard.

The NLC boss gave this admonition at the weekend during his
yuletide message.

In a statement signed by Comrade Ayuba Wabba while admitting
that COVID-19 led to great dislocation, despair and various other
forms of socio-economic upheavals, he however said Nigerians should
look forward to a bright new year with hope, inspiration and
comfort.

In the statement which reads in part, Wabba noted that, “The
current vicissitudes that punctuated the year 2020 will give rise
to a better and brighter 2021. We believe that the afflictions of
the Year 2020 will soon give way to a glorious triumph for Nigerian
workers, their families and indeed for the Nigerian nation,” adding
that “In the midst of a devastating COVID-19 pandemic, the
application of Nigerian frontline workers to their duties was the
difference in deaths in millions, as predicted in some parts of the
world, and deaths in hundreds as we have been able to curtail the
effect and impact of the landfall of the novel corona virus on our
shores.”

The NLC top brass also acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices
of frontline workers including healthcare workers, road transport
workers, aviation workers, maritime workers, sanitation workers,
agriculture workers, journalists, informal sector workers, and
security personnel for leading the great battle against the menace
of COVID-19.

He was however quick to add that, “We can make the sacrifice of
our fallen heroes count as we renew our commitment to stopping the
unrelenting virus even as it threatens a second global wave. We
honour the memory of workers who gave their lives so we live when
we maintain and improve on the health protocols that can help keep
us, our families, our friends, and our colleagues safe.”

The temptation to throw caution to the winds will be rife this
festive season, he stressed, adding that this is not the time to be
complacent.

“COVID-19 is real. The second wave of the deadly virus is
palpable. We can mitigate against its impact if we observe all the
necessary health protocols – wash our hands always with soap and
running water, use hand sanitisers all the time, keep social
distancing, wear mask when in public places, report any sign of
COVID-19 to designated health authorities and submit to treatment
once diagnosed.”

Nigerians, especially workers, Wabba noted, “Have suffered a lot
of downturns and reversals this year. While wages remained
constant, fuel and electricity prices have been severally and
arbitrarily increased inducing a galloping inflation. Government
must steer away from making workers’ burden an ounce more grievous.
This will be resisted. Workers cannot be the cannon fodder for the
misgovernance of successive years.

“While we encourage workers to adhere to health safety protocols
as issued by relevant authorities coordinating the national effort
against COVID-19, we call on government to balance the options of
another lockdown with its capacity to live up to its responsibility
of catering to the welfare of workers and citizens that such
lockdown would rob of their means of livelihood. The public tumults
linked to the last lockdown instruct that compassion, consultation
and communication must lead.”