WORKERS SEEK FOR FAIRNESS IN SERVICE ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

As the Global Community marks World Day of Social Justice, workers have been urged to promote the efforts to tackle issues of poverty, exclusion and unemployment.

World Social Justice Day seeks to generate facts and testimonies that would help to address the challenges of social justice which include poverty, youth restiveness, and unemployment.

The United Nations General Assembly in November, 2007 proclaimed February 20 every year as World Social Justice Day.

Highlighting the essence of workers participation in tackling the challenges, the Chairman Trade Union Congress, Enugu State Chapter, Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, noted that workers’ efforts in resolving the challenge of social justice were pertinent.

Comrade Igbokwe advised them to synergize with the various labour Unions who have engaged in lots of advocacy, social dialogue and sensitization to activate what should be obtainable in the work place.

Speaking on the significance of this year’s theme, “Workers on the Move, the Quest for Social Justice,” the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Enugu State, Comrade Virginus Nwobodo, observed that Nigeria workers had not been accorded justice and fair treatment.

Comrade Nwobodo noted that Labour Unions had a role to play in diversifying their incomes and exercising prudence in managing scare resources.

Also, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUJ, Enugu State Chapter, Comrade Ozor Paul Nnaji, frowned upon the government attitudes towards workers in the nation.

A Human Rights Activist and Constitutional Lawyer in Enugu, Mr. Godstime Okafor, observed that Social Justice, which comprise of equality, fairness, equity and impartiality had been relegated to the background.

In an interview, some civil servants are of the opinion that workers should stand up for their rights.

The theme of this year’s World Social Justice Day is “Workers on the Move; the Quest for Social Justice.”

EVELYN AWUNOR