2017 Workers’ Day and begging questions

Yesterday was not only declared as public holiday by the Federal Government to mark the Workers Day, it is a moment for deep reflection on the state of employees in both private and public sectors of the nation’s economy. With the economic recession currently inflicting the fabrics of the nation, workers appear to be worst […]

Yesterday was not only declared as public holiday by the Federal Government to mark the Workers Day, it is a moment for deep reflection on the state of employees in both private and public sectors of the nation’s economy. With the economic recession currently inflicting the fabrics of the nation, workers appear to be worst hit as most state governments owe their employees backlog of salary arrears. Even when states had the opportunity to access Paris fund, it was unfortunate that we still heard the report of some governors diverting the fund.

While the governors enjoyed unhindered access to security votes and other entitlements, workers were made to suffer with impunity. The current realities in the country are that an average worker cannot afford three descent daily meals.

As the nation marks the workers day, three intertwined issues needs serious consideration by labour unions and the government at various levels. One, the perennial question of what should be the minimum wage deserves more attention in labour discourse across the nation as we mark this year’s workers day.

To have a realistic minimum wage policy as essential for industrial harmony in the country, factors such as purchasing power of currency and inflationary trend need careful consideration in our policy decisions on national wages and salaries. Anything to the contrary will make the struggle for salary increase to remain a permanent feature of Nigeria’s national life.

The second issue of serious concern is contributory pension scheme. Since 2004 when the Pension Reform Act was enacted, the objectives of the scheme are yet to be fully realised. Up till the present moment, the Contributory Pension Scheme is yet to be introduced by some states while few States that had introduced the scheme are not doing it right. 

Worse still, pension fund was sometimes ago been reported to have been embezzled by the administrators.

Similarly, an average state employee doesn’t understand the letter and spirit of the Pension Reform Act 2004. Poor knowledge and understanding of how contributory pension scheme works contribute to the negative attitude of workers to the ideals, principles and strategic objectives of the scheme. 

Indeed, government by not paying salaries as and when due loses the moral right to complain of ineptitude of deprived workers.

Rahaman Onike, Ibadan, Oyo State.