Nigeria’s organised labour in Delta State on Friday delivered a scathing indictment of worsening insecurity, deepening poverty, and governance failures, warning that the twin crises are strangling decent work and pushing millions of workers to the brink.
In a joint address to mark the 2026 May Day celebration themed “Insecurity, Poverty – Bane of Decent Work,” Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, and Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Asekutu Wilson, said no nation can prosper while its workforce lives and works under fear and deprivation.
They declared that insecurity has crippled economic activity across the country, leaving farmers unable to cultivate, traders stranded, businesses shrinking, and young people robbed of opportunity.
“A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its workers cannot guarantee economic prosperity,” the labour leaders said, stressing that security must be treated as a non-negotiable foundation for development.
The duo described poverty as a “silent destroyer” of productivity and human dignity, lamenting that many Nigerian workers earn wages that cannot meet basic needs, while graduates roam the streets jobless.
“Decent work is not just employment, it is work with dignity, fair wages, safe conditions, and social protection. A society where workers remain trapped in poverty cannot claim progress,” they warned.
Labour Lists Demands
To reverse the trend, the unions called for urgent, coordinated action, including intelligence-driven security reforms, massive job creation, investment in youth skills, enforcement of fair wages, and expanded social protection systems.
They also urged stronger support for small and medium enterprises and sustained dialogue between government, labour, and the private sector.
Delta State Under Fire
Turning sharply to issues in Delta State, the labour leaders criticised the government over the prolonged non-appointment of substantive Permanent Secretaries, describing the practice of appointing officials in acting capacity as a dangerous deviation from civil service norms.
According to them, the situation has created uncertainty, weakened institutional integrity, and undermined merit-based career progression.
“When did lowering standards become acceptable?” they queried, warning that the trend threatens the professionalism and morale of the state workforce.
Pension Crisis Sparks Outrage
Labour also raised alarm over what it called the “disturbing plight” of retirees under the contributory pension scheme, revealing that many pensioners receive meagre monthly payouts that cannot sustain basic living.
The unions painted a grim picture of elderly retirees struggling to survive after decades of service, with some reportedly dying due to inability to afford food, medication, and shelter.
“A society that neglects its retirees destroys the morale of its active workforce,” they said, calling on the Delta State Government to urgently review pension structures and provide relief for affected retirees.
Call for Worker Welfare Reforms
The labour leaders further demanded the prioritisation of low-cost housing schemes and government-backed mass transit systems to ease the burden on workers and improve their quality of life.
They insisted that decent living conditions must go hand-in-hand with decent work, noting that affordable housing and transportation are critical to productivity and dignity.
Tribute and Warning
While paying tribute to Nigerian workers for their resilience, the unions warned that celebration alone is no longer enough in the face of mounting hardship.
They urged governments at all levels to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to restore security, reduce poverty, and protect workers’ rights.
“Let this not just be a celebration, but a commitment to build a Nigeria where insecurity no longer steals dreams and poverty no longer limits potential,” they declared.
The address ended with a rallying call for collective action, insisting that only deliberate and people-centred policies can guarantee a future where decent work becomes a reality for all.
Facebook Comments
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings