PAY ATTENTION TO WORKERS’ WELFARE – ANAMBRA TUC BOSS BEGS GOVERNMENT

Civil and public Servants the world over have been described as the “Power House” of the government.

Same description goes for those in Nigeria, who are often referred to as the geese that lay the golden eggs.

But many Nigerians believed that civil and public servants have not been fairly treated by successive administrations in the country.

Radio Nigeria seeks opinions of some people in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, on the importance of Civil Service and the need to improve on the welfare of workers at all levels of governance.

One of them and Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council of Nigeria, Comrade Benson Jibike, noted that civil servants were  important work force of any government.

However, according to the Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Ifeanyi Okechukwu, successive administrations in country have not paid adequate attention to the welfare of workers.

A Public Affairs Commentator, Mr. Uchechukwu Anaekeokwu, described the take home of an average Nigerian worker as ridiculous, especially given the prevailing economic situation in the country.

The people expressed the hope that the new national minimum wage being negotiated would boost the purchasing power of the workers, with positive ripple effects on the nation’s economy.

They also solicited a legislation that would compel State Governors, Local Government Chairmen and even private employers of Labour to implement the new minimum wage when signed into law.

According to them, it is time a living wage plan was designed for the country to, among other things, reduce financial crimes within the civil service, to the barest minimum.

ALFRED AJAYI