By Ayoni M. Agbabiaka
Workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been reassured that their welfare will continue to receive the highest attention as all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure an enduring welfare package for workers.
FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, gave this assurance in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Abubakar Sani, marking the first Labour Day celebration of his Administration.
He noted that the theme for this year’s celebration: “The Working Class and the Quest for Socio-Economic Revival”, is indeed, very appropriate and timely, considering the state of national affairs.
Bello, however, lamented that this year’s May Day is being celebrated at a time of serious downturn in the nation’s economy with international oil prices sliding downwards and adversely affecting national revenue, a situation which, according to him, was further worsened by corruption and mismanagement of the past.
“Being mindful of this situation, President Muhammadu Buhari articulated a Change Agenda that focuses on anti-corruption, fiscal discipline and diversification of the economy. In line with this, the federal government has evolved several policy frameworks designed to breathe a new lease of life into the economy”, he said.
Malam Bello said the FCT administration would continue to partner with Labour in the efforts towards restoring the old glory of the great nation, stressing that his administration would not allow the issue of paucity of funds to “make us abdicate our responsibility to Labour as the FCTA will continue to be a front runner on the issues of workers’ welfare”.
Bello then urged labour to continue to support government in these difficult times.
The minister, while eulogising the workers for their remarkable contributions to nation building, said labour was the “goose that lays the golden egg”, pointing out that the Federal Capital Territory Administration had, therefore, evolved various policies intending to ensure adequate welfare and conducive working environment for the workforce.
“I make bold to say that, because of the high premium we place on workers’ welfare, this administration ensures regular payment of salaries and allowances to our workers; in the same vein we have ensured that housing allowances are paid as at when due, while deserving staff have received their promotions.
“Aside from these, my administration places a high premium on staff training and retraining. This is with a view to giving incentives to our workers and ensuring optimal service delivery”, the minister added.
The minister noted that May Day is celebrated globally to mark the sacrifices of workers towards building a better world, adding that it highlights the contributions which workers have consistently made to ensure a world where values of social justice and employment rights are fully protected.