MAY DAY: ANAMBRA WORKERS DEMAND IMPROVED PAY AS GOV SOLUDO PROMISES BETTER WELFARE PACKAGE
REPORTER: ONYINYE CHIJIOBI
Anambra State Government says it will soon recruit more teachers to improve teaching and learning in the area.
Similarly, the government is to conduct local government election for grassroots development.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo stated this while addressing worker during the 2022 May Day Rally at Alex Ekwueme Square Awka on Sunday.
Professor Soludo noted that his administration would continue to prioritise workers’ welfare, which according to him, has continued to improve since the onset of his government.
He particularly promised to ensure that his government would create a good working environment for workers in the state.
The Governor, who said that he shared the pains and agonies of Nigerian workers, commended the workers for their contributions, saying that no government could achieve its dream without the support of the workers.
He also expressed appreciation to all workers, both in the public and private sectors for their commitment to the growth and development of the State at large.
Governor Soludo implored workers, especially those to remain productive and committed to duty urging them to keep hope alive, cultivate a new spirit of patriotism that would be geared towards nation building and peace.
The state Chairperson Nigeria labour Congress, Comrade Chinwe Orizu, expressed confidence that the present administration would deliver on its mandate as stated in the manifesto and inaugural speech.
She however lamented that the poor implementation of the new minimum wage, delay in payment of gratuity of retirees among other issues.
The state President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Mr. Chikwelu Adigwe, who described workers as the live wire of the economy, expressed concern that wages and salaries had remained static, despite the prevailing galloping inflation.
He said that Nigerian workers deserved appreciation and respect for their contributions to the development of the country.
Also, the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Emeka Odogwu, lauded Nigerian workers on the occasion of the 2022 May Day for their patriotic cooperation with the government and and other institutions in the collective efforts to address societal challenges.
Comrade Odogwu further commended workers for their patience, strength, passion and commitment to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria as a whole and urged them not to relent in their positive contributions to the economy.
For his part, the state Chairman Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Chris Ogbenna, stressed the need for government to stop engaging retired workers to continue in service as it worked against the promotion of those in the service to reach the utmost level in their career.
Comrade Ogbenna also asked the state government to lift the ban on employment to enable fresh graduates to fill the vacancies.
