As workers across the world mark the May Day, it was a different story for workers in Osun and Plateau State, as the usual funfair did not hold due to nonpayment of workers’ salary and emoluments for over five months.
Speaking to Journalists in Osogbo, Osun State capital, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State Chapter, Jacob Adekomi, ascribed the ”no celebration” to non payment of salaries to the workforce.
Adekomi said that as long as the workers’ salaries and other emoluments remain unpaid for five months, there is no basis for any ceremonial outing.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Osun State Chapter, gathered some of its members for what it termed as a prayer session in spite of the ”no celebration”.
The union said that although they were also in support of the ‘no pay no celebration’, what is required is prayer to help change the trend of things in the nation, particularly as the nation prepares for a transition.
Plateau State
Instead of the usual May Day celebrations, workers in Plateau state gathered at the Labour House in Jos in a solemn mood as salary and emoluments, including outstanding arrears of minimum wage, non release of promotions to workers, non payment of gratuity and pension to retirees, among other issues are still pending.
The NLC Chairman in the state, Jibrin Bancir, in a press briefing, observed that the singular act of bad governance and inhuman treatment of workers over the years by the outgoing regime have put the workers under trauma.
As the workers were reflecting on the situation at hand, another faction that emanated from the national body gathered at the state office of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), led by Anthony Sule John, to address workers and the issue at the national level of the union.
The TUC, with about 12 affiliates comprising mostly senior association members, gathered at their office to also mark the May Day celebrations, with emphases on the plight of Plateau workers.