President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that no employer
would retrench workers without going through due process.
Buhari said his government will ensure that no employer
would retrench or lay off workers without going through due process of social
dialogue, which include consultations with workers and with the Competent
Authority, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
He said this in his message to workers to marks
International Workers Day, on Friday.
The message was read on Buhari’s behalf by Minister of
Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, during a virtual meeting with Labour
leaders via ZOOM, in consonance with the social distancing policy and was
contained in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Demi Adesina.
Full text of the speech reads below:
Greetings Nigerian Workers! It is 1st May – May Day today
but we know that something is not right not just in our nation but globally.
Today is a day set aside for workers to celebrate the success of their
historical struggles to have a “voice” in the world of work. It is equally a
day to celebrate their partnership with relevant stakeholders to achieve
sustainable development and contribute to the progress of nations in
contemporary times. It is a day to mark and acclaim workers’ productivity in
nation – building. But today, May 1, 2020, the usual pomp and ceremony
characterized by sounds of drumming and march past by various Trade Unions and
their Federations are missing in all the stadia throughout the Federation
including our Abuja Eagle Square. This is so because we are fighting an
invisible enemy to humanity termed Covid-19 pandemic.
In a bid to win this war, we set up a Presidential Task
Force (PTF) made up of the relevant sector Ministers and highly skilled Health
Technical Experts The government had to in a well-designed Expert Advice, lock
down some States of the Federation where this pandemic is most prevalent – the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Ogun and Lagos States. Lagos State was and
still is the EPICENTRE of the disease and of late Kano had to follow because of
the new eruptions of Covid-19 in the State.
Offices, businesses, and various forms of out-door
activities have been put in abeyance so that “WE” as opposed to “I” factor may
prevail so that we may live for tomorrow. Yes, it is a common problem and
interest and it is at this time that we must be our brother’s keeper by
ensuring that “I protect myself and protect others from me”. I, therefore, ask
Nigerian Workers both in the Public and Private Sectors with her FORMAL and
INFORMAL ECONOMY to bear the stringent measures for a while for our common
good. This would enable us put the ravaging pandemic under control and restore
normalcy within the confines of relevant guidelines issued by health experts
and the Government for safety against Covid-19 in order to curtail its spread.
I acknowledge that it is not easy but nations globally are
in a state of war against this pandemic and in a war situation, survival is
paramount.
Though the lock-down had been partially lifted in States
aforementioned, except Kano State, workers are enjoined to observe subsequent
rules and regulations issued to ensure the safety of all Nigerian citizens.
I understand the anxiety which has plagued the minds of
workers over the possibility of job losses due to economic downturn caused by
the pandemic and lock-down especially in the private sector. In this regard,
the Government will ensure that no employer would retrench or lay off workers
without going through due process of social dialogue which includes
consultations with workers and with the Competent Authority – Federal Ministry
of Labour and Employment.
Furthermore, I had earlier put in place a Presidential
Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) with the objective of developing a
credible sustainability plan for repositioning the Nigerian economy now and
post Covid-19 crisis period. The ESC is required to specifically explore ways
and means of growing our non-oil sector – all in a bid to minimise the adverse
effects of the current crisis and to also protect existing jobs and even create
new jobs to help absorb the teeming army of the unemployed even before the
crises.
I conclude by expressing my appreciation to Medical Doctors
and Healthcare Workers as well as their respective organisations, the Nigerian
Medical Association (NMA) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). These Health
workers are doing a great service for humanity. I thank you all. I have
directed that requisite incentives and hazard allowances enhancement and
insurance for lives should be taken at these perilous times in favor of our
Health Sector workers as a way of showing our appreciation. Also, personal
protective equipment for their safety is also guaranteed.
Great Nigerian Workers, your resilience in times of
adversity is not questionable. I appreciate you all and I know that with
collective will and sense of responsibility, as a team, we shall triumph as a
nation.
Observe all the Health Protocols as already established by
the World Health Organisation (WHO), in terms of hygiene, wash your hands
regularly, observe Social Distancing, and Stay Safe.
God bless you all.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
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What year was this speech made please, or was this speech made from the land of the dead?because the picture of the President on this article can not be correct.
ReplyDeleteIn the picture above is President Muhammad Buhari with late Abba Kyari at the background.