NLC Showers Encomium On President Buhari For Bailing Out Workers

NLC Deputy President, Mr lssa Aremu has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for the bail out of states owing workers salaries.

Aremu said this when speaking with newsmen in llorin on Sunday. According to him, the gesture has singled Buhari out as a labour-sensitive President.

The labour leader also commended the President for rejecting the N400 million cars offered to him at a time the country was drawing on reserves to meet basic needs.

“Regrettably, notwithstanding the appreciated presidential gesture, thousands of workers still observed the concluded Sallah without full pay.

“For many workers, it was sacrifice before Ramadan and continuation of deprivation after Ramadan.

“This is unacceptable. Debt-owing governors of employers should pay up or face the wrath of workers everywhere,” he said.

He urged the president to ensure that bailed out state governors signed performance/service delivery bonds with firm commitment to use the money for the purpose for which it was provided.

Aremu pointed out that delays and non-payment of salaries had deepened the worsening poverty in the country.

“Working poor have been turned to working beggars. Nigerians cannot guarantee productivity and prosperity with this level of deprivation and poverty of the workers.

“Governments at all levels should immediately initiate sustainable policies to reduce the current worsening poverty.”

He noted that if the situation was not tackled, it could lead to mass uprising capable of undermining the Nigerian nascent democracy.

“Unpaid workers are hungry workers. Hungry workers are angry workers.

“With already frustrated millions of the unemployed, and insurgency fuelled by suicidal desperately poor, Nigeria risks mass national revolt if nothing is done,” he said.

He congratulated Nigerian workers on the successful observance of Eid-el-Fitr.