…Likens workers’ sufferings to Civil War era

Stories by Bimbola Oyesola, 08033246177

Comparing the present deprivation suffered by an average worker in Nigeria to what happened during the war between Biafra and Nigeria, organised labour has declared that reports by government that Nigeria was on the way out of recession were mere propaganda

The workers, under the umbrella of the National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees (NUSDE), lamented that recession in Nigeria was currently being discussed in low tones as though it were no more.

Speaking at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union in Owerri, Imo State, at the weekend, NUSDE national president, Kelly Ogbaloi, said it would be hollow to accept that recession was no more when there have not been observed any reduction in the prices of goods and services.

He said, “Today, It has to be made clear that recession cannot be ordinary calculations in figure and ‘maradonic’ statistics; it is something tangibly felt by every worker that lives in Nigeria today.

“It means true poverty, hunger, diseases and sickness. It is the denial of basic education, health care and other social services. It is the violation of the right and privileges of the working people as employers of labour now cut corners in the circumstance to beat the stronghold of recession, and thereby traumatise the workers and decent work escapes to oblivion.”

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Ogbaloi expressed concerns that workers’ children still cannot go to good school without it being expensive, while staple food still remains largely unaffordable.

The labour leader added that, “Hospitals cannot do any bidding and the roads are yet to serve the purpose of the original concept. Recession is still here. Our sensibility cannot be abused on this.”

He called on government to be disposed itself to what the people need, noting that the communities and other bodies that elected them must see government working and working well. According to him, political leadership was a framework for delivering benefits to the people, touching the life of the average citizen, affordability of good housing by the people and other infrastructure that make governance meaningful.

The NUSDE president tasked government to implement economic programmes and policies that empower the poor and invariably enhance the purchasing power of workers, and, consequently, boost demand for goods and services as well as economic growth.

Explaining that the strength and relevance of a trade union was best demonstrated in a buoyant economy, he appealed for understanding from members of organised labour to support leadership in the struggle for a better society for workers.

“It is always a difficult task for leadership to optimally discharge its responsibility to members during a recession. because it is within this context we effectively do a responsibility to members and initiate projects.  In fact, the most potent instrument to establish combat in situations where our rights are tinkered with, carry out negotiations, organise and, possibly, institute strike/picketing in an environment that demands so, is in a buoyant economy,” Ogbaloi said.