As Nigerian workers observe this year’s annual ritual celebrated on May 1st in honour of workers worldwide as well as the vital roles of workers in building resilient societies and productive economies, the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his resolve in prioritising the safety and well-being of all citizens.
This year’s Workers’ Day is the first under President Bola Tinubu who was sworn in as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2023.
In a statement, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said, “In alignment with this year’s theme, which focuses on ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, I wish to state that the Federal Government remains steadfast in its resolve to prioritise the safety and well-being of all citizens,” the minister said.“
Let me reaffirm Mr. President’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for work, where every worker can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
In his inaugural speech, President Tinubu introduced some sweeping reforms including petrol subsidy removal and unification of the foreign exchange windows when he took over last May, two decisions that have been flayed by labour groups, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NUC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The removal of petrol subsidy saw the price per litre of the premium commodity jumping from around N184 to about N600. The move aimed at the deregulation of the oil sector has inflicted untold hardship on Nigerians with the prices of basic commodities going through the roof.
High-cost-of-living protests subsequently broke out across the country, with labour unions demanding new minimum wage for workers to cope with the inflationary pressure. The government has continued to placate citizens with the introduction of palliatives — as interim interventions — and encouraging them to endure the pain of the moment.
However, Nigerians mark this year’s May Day amid spiralling, and unending snake-like queues at filling stations as scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol worsens across the Federation.
Although there have been assurances by the major oil supplier in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to alleviate this issue, however, the queues have persisted for over one week.
The fresh fuel scarcity has grounded many economic activities in states across the Federation as Nigerians queue up at filling stations nationwide.
While some motorists were lucky to get fuel at some retail outlets for between N700 and N,1200 per litre after hours of sweat and contest, others weren’t so lucky as many retail outlets were shut, with their excuse being supply challenge.
The shortage of the premium product saw black marketers selling petrol for as high as N2,000 per litre in states.
Prices of food and basic commodities have continued to increase in the last few months and weeks. Although naira has appreciated against the dollar in recent weeks from about N1,900/$ to about N1,400/$1 now, the prices of food has refused to drop.
And despite the clamour for new minimum wage, not all the 36 state governors currently pay their workers the current minimum wage of N30,000. In March, at an event in Niger State, President Tinubu urged governors to pay workers in their state wage award till negotiations on new minimum wage were concluded.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Federal Government approved a salary increase of between 25% and 35% for civil servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures.