The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the Federal Government has not demonstrated sufficient commitment towards complying with its agreements with its members.

The NLC, in its end-of-year message, lamented that the N35,000 wage award has not been faithfully implemented just as the Port Harcourt Refinery has not come on stream as projected. It added that the National Minimum Wage Negotiation Council has not been inaugurated as agreed.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the compressed natural gas (CNG) scheme has been distorted by agents of government for the benefit of a few. He said last year was, undoubtedly, a major test of workers’ collective strength and resilience, where they faced uncertainties, overcame obstacles, and witnessed moments that left them feeling disheartened. He said labour would engage the government more this year to ensure that the agreements it reached with it on October 2, 2023, are implemented. He said it was highly insensitive of the FG to allow its citizens to go hungry during the Yuletide season, by denying them the benefit of their hard-earned December 2023 salaries.

According to him, Nigerians are watching the chest-thumping and visitations as if in triumphalism against the collective will where food and drinks were lavished by public officials while workers are not paid and are left in starvation over one spurious reason or the other. He urged the FG to show more compassion in its dealings with Nigerians and Nigerian workers especially in the face of the excruciating poverty which its policies have foisted on hapless Nigerians.

The NLC chief said divisions along the nation’s various primordial fault lines rather than healing became exacerbated in 2023, mainly because of the unfortunate activities of politicians who played them up in their bid to win elections. He said this has caused the nation to become more divided than ever with growing suspicion and increasing trust deficits along those lines.

“Citizens’ confidence in the government is therefore deeply wounded causing a further disconnect between the people and governments as the government continues with policies that negate the welfare of citizens. We observe only a few pockets of progress in governance in some states but largely, the instruments of governance are mainly deployed for the sole benefits of those who believe they have captured the instruments of governance and thus use them for their sole benefit,” he said.

He described the year 2023 as a turbulent year both for workers and Nigerian people as the negative economic policies of the government begin to bite harder on poor Nigerians as predicted.

According to him, workers continue to grapple with the worst forms of deprivations, thus being unable to meet their basic needs while transportation to work continues to be a nightmare.

“The Nigerian masses have experienced the worst form of angst and suffering as access to basic nutrition has become more difficult while education and basic social utilities have become the sole purview of the rich. This year’s festive season has been made so difficult for the masses that the usual joy associated with the season was replaced with worries and anxiety all over the nation.

“Government’s half-hearted attempts at providing succor was largely mere propaganda and never had any impact on the high cost of transportation across the nation.

Our Naira continues in its free fall in all markets while governments both federal and state governments continue in their reckless borrowing and spending in the name of governance. We are worried at the haste with which those in government rush to eat the future of Nigerians by borrowing and frittering them away putting the future of our unborn generation in jeopardy.

“As it stands today, Nigeria needs about 12% more than our annual revenue to service our debt stock, meaning that we have to borrow to ever be able to service our debts. Another debt trap has been unleashed on the population. Governments should act more responsibly in its debt activities,” he said.

However, in the face of the adversities, Ajaero, said it was crucial to recognise that it may have seemed hopeless at times, “but we firmly believe that together, we can make 2024 better. The spirit of unity and solidarity that defines our great nation has seen us through numerous trials in the past, and it will undoubtedly guide us toward a brighter future.

“That future can only come with our resolve to act together as we reposition ourselves to act better and more creatively to grapple with the forces that are holding our nation’s down in a cesspool of underdevelopment and misery. The Nigeria Labour Congress is committed to providing the necessary leadership as we move into the new year to ensure that we responsibly hold the government accountable and nudge it towards working for the benefit of the majority.

“To this end, NLC will be committed in 2024 towards ensuring that a living wage becomes possible for all Nigerian workers by working with others to secure a National Minimum Wage that approximates the dictates of the various parameters that make incomes humane and grants access to necessities of life for the average worker.”