In her May Day address, the Nigeria Labour Congress chairperson in Lagos, Funmi Sessi, said the May Day celebration was a time for sober reflection and not necessarily a time for fanfare and ceremonial march pasts. She said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s palliatives could not do enough to alleviate the suffering of Lagos workers.

“It is more than that. It is basically a time to take stock and review our past activities and proffer solutions on the way forward, especially in relation to the current suffering in the land.

“It is rather unfortunate that workers have to protest and fight for everything before their demands are met. Our mandate is to emancipate the workers from the shackles of injustice, oppression and deprivation,” Ms Sessi said.

Ms Sessi explained that workers were the hardest hit by the economic challenges, with the high cost of living.

“The current minimum wage is of no value any more. The palliative measure has not solved the equation. In fact, the main problem now is the spiralling inflation,” the labour leader said.

Ms Sessi added, “The fact remains that the palliatives and temporary increase in worker’s salary are not enough, as the inflation keeps biting and rendering the idea defeated.

“We need more proactive permanent measures to address the root of the problem.”

(NAN)