The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said the minimum wage of N30,000 can no more afford the needs of an average Nigerian worker.
Atiku made this revelation while felicitating with the Nigerian workforce in regards to the International Workers Day of May 1, encouraging them to be hopeful.
He advised the working population to see this year’s worker’s day as a period for “sober reflection and stock-taking given the myriad of socio-economic tribulations facing them in the last eight years”.
Atiku said the worker’s quality of living has been reduced to the “abyss of mere existence due to the litany of policy errors by the ruling APC government which created insecurity in all facets of workers’ lives — food, shelter, health, wealth and education”.
“In Nigeria of today, the minimum wage of N30,000 cannot buy a full bag of rice, let alone cloth or pay for a worker’s many utility bills. Hyperinflation in all sectors of our nation has constituted serious socio-economic strangulation to the average Nigerian worker, who’s now poorer than in 2015 when APC came to power,” Atiku said.
“It is unimaginable how a government could be so heartless to treat its bonafide citizens like medieval slaves in colonial plantations. Where are the so-called ‘dividends of democracy’? Labourers do deserve commensurate wages that meet pervading economic conditions of the time. Alas, Nigerian workers now receive wages that can no longer take them home or bring them back to the office”.
He encouraged workers to be hopeful because of the future of the country and the younger generation.
He commended the working population for their perseverance, hard work and endurance.
“Hope is the breath that keeps people alive. Let’s work together in unity of voice and purpose to retrieve our electoral victory through the law courts. Let’s have faith that the judiciary would be fair and dispense unbiased justice,” Atiku said.
Workers’ Day: Nigeria declares Monday public holiday
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Monday May 1 a public holiday to celebrate 2023 Workers Day.
This was revealed by the minister of interior, Rauf Aregbesola on Friday April 28.
The public holiday was declared by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Shuaib Belgore on behalf of the minister.
He praised the workforce for its sacrifice, hardwork and diligence.
He credited the efforts of the working population for the development of the country and how Nigeria is viewed by the public.
Aregbesola said, “There is dignity in labour, we have to have dedication and commitment to the work we do because it is vital to nation-building.”
He encouraged the workers to remain productive, saying : “The end of work is productivity. It is productivity that leads to the satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation.
“It is therefore the path to national and individual prosperity.”
He saluted security agents for their achievements so far in their struggle against crimes in the country.
