Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has joined the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and all their affiliate bodies, as well as the global community of workers and the international labour movement, in commemorating the International Workers’ Day, 2018. In solidarity with the labour movement in Nigeria and across the world, CDHR joined in the celebration of workers, labourers and the entire working class for their rare resilience, commitment and contributions to socio-economic advancement and national development. CDHR enjoined Government Authorities at all levels, public office holders of conscience, private sector Executives and all Nigerians to respect and promote the rights of workers at all times. Nigeria, as a signatory to international treaties on labour as well as a member of the International Labour Organisation, is obligated to ensure and promote acceptable standards and better conditions for all workers.

Workers’ Day (otherwise Labour Day or May Day) is celebrated annually across the world on May 1 (1st of May) to honour and celebrate workers. This year’s Workers’ Day, comes up on Tuesday, May 1st, 2018, with the theme: “Uniting Workers for Social and Economic Advancement”. The Day has remained significant for providing a platform or an opportunity for the assessment of the environment, conditions and challenges of workers. The Day also provides a critical global opportunity to reflect on the factors that guarantee welfare, freedom, equality and Rights of all workers. May 1st was chosen to be International Workers’ Day to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, USA. On May 1st, there was a general strike on the agitation for eight-hour workday. The strike lasted for days and led to many deaths and injuries; an unidentified person threw a bomb and the police responded by firing on the workers. Hundreds of labour leaders and sympathizers were later rounded-up, some of whom were executed by hanging, after a trial that was seen as a miscarriage of justice.

In a message issued to the media by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ekine, Peter Henry, CDHR lamented that Workers’ Day in Nigeria has always been characterised with ceremonial parades and speeches that are often cosmetic and usually failed to address critical challenges of the Nigerian worker; such ceremonial shows usually failed to address the issues of poor conditions of work, poor environment and violations of the rights of the Nigerian worker. This Workers’ Day, 2018 must go beyond the ceremonial speeches and must address the plethora of challenges confronting the Nigerian worker, including the issues of the rights of workers, issue of fair minimum wage, improved work environment, safety and security, pensions, housing, healthcare and insurance, welfare, training, and others.

Workers’ strikes by different sectors have become common occurrences; the present strike by health sector workers has entered its second week amid uncertainty about any hope of suspension soon, as negotiations appear stalled. National minimum wage is not a living wage, nor can it overcome income inequality. It has been a tough labour environment in Nigeria for decades, made worse by a tough economic climate. Any little improvement is talked up despite questions over real betterment; the proposed increase of the national minimum wage, from N18,000 (eighteen thousand naira) to N66,500 (sixty-six thousand, five hundred naira), seen as “a great victory for the workers of this country”, is far from realisable as there is just about ten (10) months before the 2019 general elections.

CDHR decried the unfortunate incidents of Governments’ violation or breach of negotiated agreements with workers, non payment of workers’ salaries and allowances, resulting in economic hardship, servitude and avoidable suicides and deaths. The group recounted the high rate of retrenchment, poor environment for work, poor state of infrastructure, especially energy or power, poor healthcare, lack of housing, poor transport system, general dearth of workers’ welfare, and others, as conditions of subjugation and violation of the rights of workers. These realities reflect excruciating deprivation, hardship and abuse of the dignity of Nigerian workers. A motivated workforce can truly facilitate socio-economic advancement.

CDHR charged Nigerians, to compel the Governments at all levels, especially all the Governors of the States of the federation, to urgently adopt and focus on the improvement of the welfare of workers as ultimate priority; pay all outstanding salaries and allowances owed workers, as well as pay up all benefits and pensions to retirees; promote good and conducive work environment, eradicate all forms of servitude, stop the violation of the rights of workers, especially right to regular payment of wages, not undermining rights to insurance, housing, healthcare, efficient transport, etc. The President and the Governors must demonstrate real commitment, concern and value for the Nigerian worker. Nigerian workers are not slaves and must not be frustrated; professionals and academics must not be frustrated to opt to migrate to other countries in search of opportunities for survival.

CDHR laments that diversion of public funds, corruption and abuse of office by public office holders and poor political leadership have not played any fair role in the lives of workers. Huge sums reported to have been diverted (some of which are still being repatriated from foreign countries) would have advanced the improvement of the welfare of workers. The Group condemned the disposition of the few privileged public office holders to live in affluence at the expense of the tens of millions of working class Nigerians, a disturbing social imbalance. CDHR therefore called for immediate consideration of a comprehensive inclusion of all workers in a national programme that will provide opportunity for all workers to be entitled to improved wages, regular payment of salaries, adequate housing and healthcare. CDHR wished Nigerian workers and others across the world a blissful Workers’ Day, 2018.

Comrade (Barr) Henry Peter Ekine
National Publicity Secretary