May 1st, annual celebration of workers.
The party said, Nigerian workers are the most resilient and dedicated on
the continent of Africa. Although there are some limiting factors, which
many of them do not allow to inhibit them in the discharge of their
duties, yet they remained patriotic and committed.
Nigeria is faced with alot of challenges at this time, ranging from
economic downturn and pandemic which is now threatening their sources of
livelihood, we can only encourage them to keep the spirit high and hope
alive in the face of these challenges.
The party however calls on the Nigerian government, Stakeholders, the
Labour Union and heads of business community, to put heads together on
how to manage through this period, and not allow the temporary
challenges to cause permanent damage to the source of livelihood of the
Nigerian workers.
ADP said that, “We recognize the impact of our Nigerian work force, both
in Private and Public sectors, in the nation building, you are
irreplaceable with robots or machines, because your efforts are
priceless, we can only urge you to keep on putting in your best, to the
service of the Nation”
Although the usual parades and speeches at public arenas will not be
observed. There is an need to pay quality attention to the current
issues confronting the working class not only in Nigeria but other parts
of the world.
Asian countries and other progressive governments like Hong Kong are
raising the salaries of workers, while Singapore is implementing pay cut
for political office holders and senior bureaucrats.
Sadly, Nigeria already pays some of the lowest workers’ wages, including
minimum wages, in the world.
The least we expect is that governments take steps to pay the workers
when due.
We call on government to help the private sector bear the burden of
forced closure or scale-down of productivity. We all need money to
maintain the government imposed lockdown rules.
As we have insisted in many fora it is the overpaid political
officeholders that should temporarily give up some comforts till things
return to normal.