WORKERS’ WELFARE AND A COMPASSIONATE DISPOSITION
We may not be able to evaluate workers’ welfare properly except we revisit the Welfare Measures under the Factories Act,1948. Workers’ welfare is a laid down principles, rules to ensure adequate protection, provision to all workers notwithstanding the visceral dislike of employers to most labourers. Many organizations, institutions do not have welfare officers nor a place where women can nurse their babies. Workers’ welfare is a word that is less pronounced in Nigeria for political reasons. Employee welfare refers to all aspects of a workplace environment that support the well-being of its staff. This includes physical safety, mental health and stress management programs. It also encompasses employee benefits such as health insurance, vacation time, retirement plans and other support services.
Convenience and comfort are never guaranteed for the Nigerian workers. Labour Unions and Trade Unions have helped to sensitize workers on their rights, duties and privileges. Labour leaders and activists in Nigeria clamouring for the rights of workers are often taken in from the hive mind of workers to the extravagance of the political class. Nonetheless, giving Anambrarians “the stroke of victory” which is needed by everyone to overcome the present challenging economic instability is a laudable achievement. The greatest challenge facing humanity is that of life and death. In Nigeria, all over Africa, citizens bemoan their standard of living, cry for a better life and struggle not to give up in vain.
The instrumentality of governance through which Governor Soludo gave employment to thousands of Nigerians in a post-subsidy era and effectiveness of the compassion (boundless, efficacious) with which he caters for their well-being is beyond imagination. Man can fail but a compassionate leader is the hand of God for the oppressed and displaced citizens. Some who have found themselves at the “corridors of power” have become “wise and learned”, walking in the predilection of their understanding but the Solution Government brings resolutions and reclamation to estranged lives.
If you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will testify that Nigerian workers cannot buy a bag of rice with N70,000 minimum wage nor visit their places of work every day of the week in a month with the same amount. Engaging in unethical conducts would never suffice for a Nigerian worker yet the political class lead the way to the door of enslavement. The question has always been: how do we give Nigerian workers a “life” not just a living wage? Governor Soludo tackles the challenge through the convivial and savvy Chief of Staff, Ernest Ezeajughi who having served as a councillor and mayor in Brent, London, is totally against egomaniac tendencies amongst the government staff. He has put a Social Welfare Security System amongst Anambra State workers; plans for a “Food Bank” for families in hard-to-reach places or in critical conditions.
Moreover, developed and civilized countries of the world cater for the welfare of the unemployed not to mention those in the labour force. And it’s not cumbersome, grievous for Nigerian government to emulate such gestures. Everyone wants to experience the best in life which is not part of the lavish life of the Nigerian politicians. A Nigerian worker would want to live a life full of meaning, purpose, great times with family and friends. After all, as Schlitz used to say; “You only go around once,so you gotta grab all the gusto you can.” Nigerian workers invest their time, talents and treasures to the progress of the nation which sadly is often sabotaged. Workers invest their money in their own country.
Bizarrely, the Nigerian workers are forced to live only for the present and not the future. Despite the discipline, courage and their determination, Nigerian workers have their future jeopardized either through the Pension Administrators, or salaries, wages and remuneration. Thirty-five years of service is like running a race but very few go home with a reward. There’s an upward review in the salary scale/structure, ongoing promotion exams, free medicare, health insurance, free education, free transportation and lots more for Anambra State workers. Who would allow all these promises to fly off the pages of the newspaper without doing anything to support the Solution Initiative? Many workers in Nigeria are under “self-healing mechanism.”
Finally, “a labourer deserves his wages” is both egalitarian and spiritual. Workers remain in idiocy when their efforts are compromised by the employers. Employers should not be forgetful or unfaithful in showing love to workers beyond boundaries. Many workers are agitated due to discomfort, disappointment, anger and frustration. Sacrifice on the part of the workers should not go unnoticed.
The Labour Union leader, Comrade Ajaero, had his thoughts, plans, character and personality encapsulated on the welfare of the Nigerian workers but he has been given a good run for his money by the federal government. Many workers today are still tortured by the economic crisis, hike in the price of petrol. They still suffer ailments and diseases caused by poor nutrition and inadequate diet without any good hospitals to treat them. Most workers in Nigeria are afraid and unfortunate. Our workers under oppressive financial regime, see their financial value deplete before their eyes as their assets become worthless. Regardless of background, or past actions, our workers deserve to be encouraged and incentivized.
Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu,
FHA Estate, Satellite Town, Lagos
