The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Ebonyi State chapter, said it is committed to continuing the struggle for workers’ welfare needs.

Ebonyi TUC Chairman, Chidi Igboji, said on Monday in Abakaliki that they were not silent but focused on protecting the rights of workers.

Mr Igboji said that workers’ welfare remains their priority, especially for those in the private and informal sectors.

The chairman said that the congress would continue to stand against unfair treatment of workers.

On proposed plans to increase the salary of political office holders, Mr Igboji said it was not good enough when workers were  still trying to overcome the current economic difficulties.

He stated, “The proposed upward review of salaries for political office holders by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is not good enough, especially given the present economic difficulties faced by the citizens. I said it is not good enough, because these are the people that usually kick against the workers whenever they propose a minimum wage increase. It’s too bad; the politicians have chosen to be less concerned about the welfare of the workers. They are the ones that usually discourage the president and governors from the implementation of the minimum wage.

“So for them to accept that their own allowances and salaries should be increased shows that they are a very selfish set of people. The politicians have refused to understand that workers remain the engine of the economy. The workers guide and protect the economy.’’

Mr Igboji, therefore, urged governments at all levels to consider workers as assets and partners in development rather than liabilities.

“We wish to remind our political leaders that the security and welfare of the people should be the chief priority of any government’s policy. We resolve to continue to push for the prioritisation of the welfare and security of all citizens, especially workers of all classes,” the chairman stated. 

(NAN)