Benue workers celebrate Workers Day at IBB Square Makurdi. PHOTOS

Benue state governor Samuel Ortom joined  workers in the state to observe workers day on May 1st 2017, at IBB square Makurdi.See more pictures credit to Frank Ihundu.

Workers Day: Buhari gives assurance on new minimum wage

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured the Nigeria workers of speedy passage of the new National Minimum Wage.

President Buhari said this in a message to the workers on the occasion marking the 2017 May Day Rally with the theme, “Labour Relations in Economic Recession: An Appraisal”.

The message reads: “I am happy to inform you that Government will give expeditious consideration to the proposal contained in the Technical Committee’s Report which was submitted to it on April 6, 2017.

“Government will take necessary steps to implement the final recommendation of the Main Government/Labour Committee as it relates to the setting up the new National Minimum Wage Committee and the needed palliatives.

“This is in order to reduce the discomfort currently being experienced by the Nigerian working class.

“I want to assure you that government will continue to do all at its disposal to better the lots of all Nigerians and more importantly to provide a commensurate welfare for all Nigerian workers”.

Buhari said that he was aware that the economic recession had huge implication for the conduct of industrial relations and noted that this arose from the fact that the economic recession by its nature was characterised by a substantial risk of the vicious circles of low-productivity.

He said others were mass retrenchment of workers and closure of workplaces due to high cost of doing business, unregulated subcontracting and outsourcing with its consequences on welfare of workers among others.

“In the face of these inevitable challenges, you have shown maturity and understanding in spite of the situation in which we found ourselves.

“I strongly salute your great sense of patriotism and loyalty to the country,” he said.

Buhari appealed for effective deployment of labour relations, an amalgamated approach that would be used in creating a conducive work environment that would attract foreign investment for wealth creation.

“Therefore, I call on the organised labour to continue to partner with this administration by resorting to social dialogue as an indispensable tool for conflict resolution

“Today, we stand in solitary with workers all over the world to commemorate this historic Day which marked a turning point in the economies of the nations and the welfare of the working class”, he said.

He commended the organised labour for their support and encouragement to the administration’s fight against corruption which was the bane of sustainable economic development.

He added: “My commitment to fight against corruption is total and irreversible. We must fight corruption before it destroys us.

“As a matter of fact, the workers should be in the forefront of activities in the realisation of the WhistleBlowing Policy of this Administration”.

MAY DAY : Workers in Benue refuse saluting the Governor over non payment of salaries .PHOTOS.

According to a Facebook user, Mr. Smith Takema, younger brother to the former Secretary to the State Government, Benue Workers refused today to salute the Benue state governor Gov Samuel Ortom during workers day celebration for owing workers salaries ranging from 4-10 months,plus pension and  primary schools teachers respectively.

Credit Japheth Gurgur.