May Day: Bauchi NLC lauds Bala on measures against COVID-19 spread
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has been commended over the measures taken to protect the people of the state against been infected with the coronavirus disease.
The state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Danjuma Saleh stated this on Friday at the 2020 Workers Day commemoration in Bauchi.
Saleh acknowledged the efforts of the state governor towards engaging critical stakeholders before implementing any decision for the management of coronavirus.
The NLC chairman regretted that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has denied organized labour the opportunity to converge and socialize with all workers, and other stakeholders who usually celebrate the day with them in the spirit of teamwork and solidarity.
“Our enduring working class, it has become obvious that this year’s celebration will not be conducted in the usual manner of pump and pageantry due to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic that is sweeping across the world, claiming huge number of precious lives including our comrades in the line of duty in the health sector,” he said.
The NLC chairman noted that the danger of COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the call for social distancing and other stringent measures such as partial/total lockdown of cities and stay at home order in an effort to curb its spread.
On the importance of Workers Day celebration, Comrade Saleh explained that the occasion is aimed at providing labour leaders and workers the opportunity to come together to evaluate performance and re-assess the state of the nation with a view to improving their working and living conditions.
“The celebration of May Day is done in honour and special reconciliation of the role of workers in the development of our country since 1912, when the trade unionism first started in Nigeria,” he said.
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The chairman of the labour union who appreciated the governor for the implementation of national minimum wage in the state, enjoined him to extend same on the consequential adjustment for officers on Grare Level 7 to 16 so as to cushion the effects of the partial lockdown and stay at home order.
He also pleaded with the government on the payment of outstanding workers entitlements so as to ensure effective service delivery.
Comrade Saleh however, requested the state government to assist workers with farm equipment to enable them participate fully in the forthcoming farming season in order to ensure food security.
He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, provide financial support to states to enable them control the spread of the disease and to provide palliative support to citizens.
