NIGERIAN WORKERS TOLD TO EXPOSE CORRUPT PUBLIC OFFICERS

Nigerian workers are advised to shun corruption and remain resolute in their demand for improved working condition and remuneration. This advice is coming from Resource persons on “Democracy in Action, a Radio Nigeria Enugu Current Affairs programme. One of them, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress, TUC in Enugu State, Comrade Chukwuma Igbokwe enjoined workers to support the anti-corruption fight by exposing corrupt officers who had impoverished the country.

Comrade Igbokwe who maintained that workers had contributed immensely to national development, regretted that they were not adequately remunerated.

“30% of Nigerian workers are in slavery, more in the private sector where people are paid peanuts and they do the same hour of work with those that are earning jumbo salaries. The Minimum Wage is eighteen thousand naira, a bag of rice is twenty something thousand.”

The Acting Chairman, ASUU in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Dr. Chinedu Aguba commended the Nigerian workers for their commitment in spite of the economic challenge in the country. Dr. Aguba called for diversification of the nation’s economy to improve the welfare of the people.

“The value of our naira should be enhanced so that any amount that is paid to a worker can take him home, not when you increase the salary and the market indices have not been checkmated, the increment will have no  positive impact”.

For a Constitutional Lawyer in Enugu, Mr. Nwabueze Ugwu, labour unions had over the years protected popular rights of Nigerians and therefore should be well taken care of .

“If they are given a pride of place in the scheme of things in this country, am sure Nigeria will move better, it will pay us more.”       

 Mr. Ugwu called for drastic reduction in the cost of governance for the review of the minimum wage to be realized.

NNEKA UGWUANYI