The Organized Labour in Rivers State has described the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration as a moment for sober reflection on the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which it says have exacerbated hardship for Nigerians, particularly the workforce.
Speaking at the Workers’ Day event held at the NLC State Secretariat in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Rivers State chapter, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, criticized the Federal Government for introducing multiple taxes soon after approving the proposed N70,000 minimum wage, without adequate consultation with the Nigerian workers.
Agwanwor stated that the current minimum wage is insufficient to address the prevailing economic hardship.
“While workers celebrate the N70,000 minimum wage approval, they are burdened by policies that have significantly reduced their purchasing power.”;
Despite these concerns, Comrade Agwanwor commended the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for prioritizing the welfare of workers in Rivers State.
He also acknowledged the Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, for approving a N33,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners to cushion the impact of the prevailing economic conditions.
In addition, the NLC presented a list of demands to the state government, including ”;the prompt payment of gratuities to retired workers, citing the state’s financial capacity to meet this obligation; implementation of promotion and salary increments for non-teaching staff in state-owned polytechnics; recognition and protection of the rights of e-hailing drivers; regularization of entry-level placement for graduate nurses employed in the state civil service; extension of the retirement age and service years for health workers”;.
The labour union argued that the current retirement age and years of service are inadequate for effective mentorship of younger nurses.
