Peoples Democratic Party presidential aspirant, Anyim Pius Anyim, has lamented the downturn in the quality of workers’ lives due to the dire economic situation in the last few years.

Mr Anyim, in his 2022 May Day message to workers, cited the high rate of Inflation, underemployment, salary delays, and salary denials as some of the significant economic challenges facing workers in the country.

This, according to the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has made the living condition of members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the entire working class, both in the public and private sectors, a nightmare.

“It is shocking how the living and working conditions of the Nigerian public and private sector workers have rapidly deteriorated in the last few years,” he said in the statement by spokesman, Anyim Presidential Campaign, Ahmed Buhari.

In the seven and half years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s reign, Nigerian workers have faced torrid experiences as the economy continue to worsen, falling twice into recession. Nigeria was named poverty capital of the world in 2020 while unemployment rate reached an all time 30 per cent high under the incumbent regime.

The government has failed to increase minimum wage despite falling value of the naira. Several workers Union have taken turns to down tools in protests over poor pay. University lecturers have spent two months in their latest strike with no end in sight.

Mr Anyim urged Nigerian workers to take the ongoing political transition seriously and participate actively in the 2023 general elections to ensure that the country gets a competent government that would address all the challenges facing workers and drag the country down.

The former President of the Senate commended Nigerian workers for their steadfastness and determination to put in their best despite the harsh economic realities of the day.

“On the other hand, the deplorable state of the Nigerian economy has made it almost impossible to raise salaries and wages to a commensurate level with the inflation rate, thereby putting workers in a further dilemma.

“And yet, many workers in the country are grossly underemployed and underpaid in the face of galloping inflation.

“In addition, the over-yoked workers, like the rest of Nigerians, are also contending with insecurity, exorbitant rents, poor transport facilities and dearth of other vital infrastructures.”

Mr Anyim, who was a career public servant for many years, urged workers not to be demoralised by the situation of things.

(NAN)