May Day: NLC Lagos lauds Sanwo-Olu, asks him to do more

By Esenvosa Izah

The Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Chapter, has lauded the state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for putting the interest of workers in the state in the front burner of his open-door policies.

The state Chairman, Mrs Funmi Sessi, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, described Sanwo-Olu as a father figure to the workers.

Sessi spoke ahead of the commemoration of Workers Day, marked annually on May 1, with the 2023 theme being, “Workers’ Rights and Socio-economic Justice”.

She also described the governor as one who had the fear of God in him and was patient.

“This is the first time ever that a sitting governor will donate hectares of land to the workers to build workers’ village.

“This governor, in 2022, donated more than 10 hectares of land to labour, including NLC and Trade Union Congress, to build affordable houses through funding from Federal Mortgage Bank for those who are contributing through National Housing Fund.

“So, this is just one of the many things that the governor has done to alleviate the sufferings of the workers, “ she said.

Sessi also commended the governor for magnanimously increasing salaries of the workers by 20 per cent in view of the recent cash crunch and economic reality in the country.

She, however, urged the governor to do more in terms of ensuring 24-hour uninterrupted electricity in the state.

According to her, if achievable, it will encourage many industries and companies which have left the country to return.

“We have to provide all the infrastructural facilities like good road network, security, protection of life and property and energy to enable these companies return.

“Nigeria is where the market is and Lagos is the hub of businesses for Nigeria and Africa.

“The government has been partnering with the labour unions, and not only with the workers in the formal sector, but informal as well.

“So, I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the government for the magnanimity in most of the things he has been doing for the workers.

“However, we still want the government to do better this year by increasing salaries, not only with the 20 per cent but to do better than the Federal Government.

“There should be a convergence of stakeholders, so that we can determine what can be sustainable to the workers, “ Sessi said.

(NAN)