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Many out-going state governors on Tuesday shunned this year's May Day rallies in their respective states, even as the rallies were generally marked by a low turn-out of workers across the country.
Many out-going state governors on Tuesday shunned this year's May Day rallies in their respective states, even as the rallies were generally marked by a low turn-out of workers across the country.
Governors Bola Tinubu (Lagos), Adamu Muazu (Bauchi), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Boni Haruna (Adamawa) and James Ibori (Delta) were among governors that boycotted the Workers's Day celebrations in their states.
The rallies also recorded some violence in a few states. In Benin City, the presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), in the just concluded elections, Dr Osagie Obayuwana was allegedly physically assaulted by men of the State Security Service (SSS).
And in Bauchi State, no government official was at the Workers' Day rally at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, to celebrate with the workers.
Lagos: The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), called on the state government to correct the imbalances in the recent upward review of wages of public workers in the state which excluded various government parastatals.
The state NLC chairman, Michael Olukoya who stated this during the celebration of this year's Workers Day at the Onikan stadium, Lagos, said any increment in salaries should benefit all workers irrespective of agencies or ministries.
According to him, employers of labour should put premium on the welfare of their employees which he said should also be in line with their wages.
Olukoya noted that taxation should be commensurate with income earned in adherence to equity, advising the state government to look into taxation as it affects individual life.
Earlier, the Minister of Labour, Hassan Lawal, represented by the deputy director in the ministry Nosifat Abiola Arogundade said her ministry was working towards putting in place a workplace policy on HIV/AIDS at enterprises level to protect the rights of workers.
Adamawa: Workers, under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Adamawa State Chapter and Trade Union Congress (TUC), marked Tuesday's May Day in a low key 'to avoid the use of the yearly rally by politically induced miscreants to cause confusion and insurrection."
Addressing a joint press conference in Yola, on Tuesday, organized by the two labour bodies, the state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Dauda Buba, said it was observed in a low key to reflect soberly on the recent political developments in the country and the state in particular.
Buba said the May Day was a special day for workers, and would avoid the situation where politicians harped on the proposed mass protest by the opposition parties to cause havoc and truncate the nation's democracy.
Comrade Dauda expressed the hope that the incoming administration in the country will work assiduously towards improving the industrial relation with the labour movement in the country, to provide better conditions of service for workers, whom he described as the engine room of any government.
Kano: Workers in Kano State on Tuesday asked the state government to implement the 15% salary increment just as they prayed the Federal Government to rethink about its on going reform process in the public service to avert inflicting additional damage to them.
Speaking at the 2007 May Day Celebrations, held at the Sani Abacha stadium, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Isa Yanusa Danguguwa tasked the Federal Government, 'to realize that the snail speed of our development does not match that of the developed countries where such policies are workable and practicable."
Danguguwa, who literally celebrated the governor for his passionate concern to workers' welfare in the state remarked that the worker have a friendly disposition in the state has created an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence, which he described as an ingredient for sustainable democracy.
He asked Mallam Shekarau to facilitate the unionization of workers in the private sector in the state as well as bring about the harmonization of allowance between primary and secondary school teachers in the state.
In his remark, the governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau said he would continue to invest in the workers. He said that part of the government public service transformation drive include revising the overhead funding, provision of facilities, renovation of the offices as well as the printing of the revised working tools.
He also noted that he had reversed the downgrading of the 569 workers in the state service by the past administration, while recalling that his regime has reintroduced the annual increment in salaries in the state.
Ebonyi: The May Day celebrations in Ebonyi State was marred by a heavy down pour, which started at about 12 noon and carried away canopies as workers and government officials do gathered for the occasion scampered for safety.
The occasion which was billed to take off at noon was thereby delayed to 3pm when the governor, Dr. Sam Egwu, drove into the Abakaliki township stadium, after the rain had subsided. Most people who were beaten by the rain had, however, already gone home.
Governor Egwu used the occasion to reaffirm the approval of the new monetisation and wage structure for all workers in the state. 'I am happy and proud that we are the first state in the South East to do this."
In his speech, the state NLC chairman, Comrade David Ogba expressed gratitude for the government's granting of full implementation of monetisation of benefits from 2004 till date, amendment of circular stopping workers' promotion on the strength of lack of additional certificates and the consequent filling of the vacancies among others.
Delta: Delta State government Tuesday, dashed the hopes of workers in the state over the 15 per cent salary increase as the government said it was still looking into the matter.
The out-going Governor, James Ibori, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Benjamin Elue, told the workers that the problem would be looked into ' I am aware that the workers are anxious to know government's position on the issue of the 15 per cent salary increase. Accordingly, the state government is looking into proposals towards implementing the adoption and implementation of the 15 per cent salary increase and the Cconsolidated Public Service Salary Structure(CONPSSS)," he said.
Addressing the workers on the occasion of this year's May Day celebration, which was jointly organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress(NLC/TUC), Ibori noted 'In the past, we have always paid whatever salary increase that was recommended and approved by salaries and wages commission. We don't intend to deviate from this practice".
He also said the government had encouraged capacity building and introduced welfare packages to enhance the standard of living of workers in the state.
Both the state NLC and TUC in their speeches had presented a plethora of problems and expected the government to make a final pronouncement on the implementation of the wage increase, and the several problems they had martialed out for solution. The workers were the more disappointed as this was going to be the last May Day to be celebrated with the Ibori government .
The celebration in Delta State which was attended by virtually all affiliate Unions in the NLC / TUC was peaceful.
Rivers: Pensioners in Rivers State had cause to smile Tuesday, as Governor Peter Odili, announced that he would clear all the arrears due to them before relinquishing power on May 29.
The Governor who spoke during the May Day celebration in Port Harcourt, his last as the governor, also informed the civil servants that the 15% salary increase would reflect in their April salaries.
He announced the conversion of all the casual workers in the state to permanent staff even as he hinted that the burnt Creek Road Market would be rehabilitated in the next two days.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Rivers State Council of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC,) Comrade Chris Oruge, called on the worker not to take part in any act capable of derailing a successful handover on May 29.
Plateau: The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), in Jos Plateau State on Tuesday marked the May Day in its secretariat, saying some politicians in the state planned to seize the day to protest the last general election.
Chairman of the body, Mr. Nicholas Kemi Nshe said at a press conference in his office that the organisation would not want to be held responsible for breaking the fragile peace in the state, hence it was not using the Rwang Pam Stadium as it was the usual practice.
He pointed out that the celebration is low key because workers in the state were on strike due to non-payment of their salaries and allowances while workers in the local government areas have not been paid salaries for about one and half years.
The chairman appealed to government to come to their aid as they are finding it difficult to cope with the harsh economic realities of the day and advised workers not to be discouraged but to put their maximum efforts to make the state and the nation great.
Ogun: It was a low-key 'May Day' celebration in Ogun State yesterday as the state Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel acknowledged the immense contribution of workers to his re-election.
There was also low turn-out of workers at the MKO Stadium Abeokuta, the venue of the celebration, which was not even half-filled.
In his speech, Governor Daniel noted that the celebration was 'coming at a very significant time in the evolution of Nigeria 's young democracy. Labour has led other Nigerians to polling stations across the country to vote for candidates of their choice at the much awaited general election."
He said his presence at the celebration for the fourth year running was a testimony that his government had 'always regarded labour as germane to the accomplishment of our policies and programmes."
While pledging to enhance labour education and promote responsible unionism in the state, Daniel urged workers to be mindful of the liberty and privilege of the democratic governance that we now enjoy."
Ekiti: The Acting Governor of Ekiti State, Adetope Ademiluyi on Tuesday warned workers in the state that his government will not tolerate inefficiency and other acts of indiscipline.
While addressing workers at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ademiluyi who spoke as if his government was a continuation of the past emergency rule in the state, said this government has paid salaries when due and that public service had never had it so good in the state.
He urged the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress which was factionalised to come together so that their differences would be resolved and an election for new executive held.
NLC Caretaker Chairman, in the state, Oyewole Omoyeni, said that workers receive meager income which is inadequate for their daily sustenance, adding that the female folk had been relegated to the background in the scheme of things.
Enugu: The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Tuesday condemned the use of violence for the purpose of achieving electoral victory by politicians and political parties. The two labour bodies at a joint ceremony during its May Day celebration at Okpara Square Enugu advised all aggrieved contestants in the last elections to make maximum use of the judiciary in seeking redress rather than resorting to violence.
The unions vehemently opposed the adoption of the Private Public Partnership (PPP) model in the running of the 102 Unity schools in Nigeria, which according to them portends danger to the education sector. 'Giving out the schools to private schools management organizations without legislation on the matter amounts to placing the cart before the horse," the workers said.
Aggrieved by the workers condition in the state, they pointedly told the state governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, not to vacate office without re-instating the over 3000 workers he laid off at the inception of this administration eight years ago.
In his address, the NLC state chairman, Comrade Eugene Ugwu, called on the out-going governor to also put smiles on the workers' faces by paying up the arrears of leave allowances which have remained unpaid since year 2003.
The Head of Service, Chief Clement Okwor, who represented the state governor, assured the workers that the state government would soon address the workers demands.
Bauchi: Bauchi State government Tuesday shunned the May Day celebration held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium apparently for fear of being attacked by members of civil society groups and opposition parties protesting the flawed general elections.
Daily Sun gathered that government officials developed cold feet when security reports indicated that miscreants planned to molest them on May Day during the much anticipated mass protest which however did not hold.
A procession of workers marched round major streets in the state capital at about 8 O' clock in the morning and terminated at the ABT stadium where the NLC leadership in the state berated the state government for not turning up to mark the occasion with the workers.
Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Comrade Ahmed Aminu however urged the state government to ensure the payment of the 15 per cent workers salary increase as enjoyed by other workers in other states in the country and to ensure the payment of outstanding pensions.
Osun: Osun State government has said it was "irrevocably committed to the implementation of the new wage packages as recently announced by the Federal Government just as the workers demanded for N10,500 minimum wage.
However, the implementation would have to await the conclusion of the ongoing negotiation between the government and the workers in the state.
Speaking at the workers day celebration at the Osogbo city stadium, the state governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola said the need to improve the living conditions of worker in the present day economy informed the government decision.
Oyinlola who was represented by his deputy, Erelu Olusola Obada told the large turn out of workers that the government was conscious of their importance in the running of government hence the resolve to ensure their welfare.
Earlier in his remarks, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Femi Taiwo, assured of the workers' commitment to the development of the state. He said however, that they would not hesitate to support or oppose the actions of the government as it may affect the welfare of his members.
Edo: For fear of hijacking the May Day rally to protest the conduct of the 2007 general elections, perceived political opponents were denied entry into the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin yesterday, just as the Presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) Dr. Osagie Obayuwana was beaten up at the stadium.
Chief John Odigie Oyegun and others who had turned up for the rally were denied entry into the stadium, even as Dr. Obayuwana, was beaten up for daring to carry placards calling for the cancellation of the elections at the rally.
Men of the State Security Service (SSS) who sighted Dr. Obayuwana with the placards had tried to instigate workers to push him out of the stadium but the workers rebuffed the SSS officials.
It was at this stage that the Edo State Director of Sports, Dr. Brown Ebewele's attention was drawn to Dr. Obayuwana's presence with the placards.
An angry Ebewele then called in his boys who beat up the NCP Presidential candidate and also injured one of his aides in the mouth.
After an exchange of words with Ebewele, Dr. Obayuwana finally left the stadium.
Government officials were conspicuously absent at the Workers Day rally yesterday.