The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Emmanuel Badejo, says in Nigeria, the condition of most workers remained pathetic and needed to be urgently reviewed.
In his Workers’ Day message on Sunday in Ibadan, Mr Badejo said the government’s insensitivity to the plight and demands of workers such as doctors, nurses, teachers, journalists, and security agencies was nothing short of cruelty, especially when compared to politicians’ remunerations.
He said that, sadly, this affected the entire masses who relied on the services which those workers provided.
“In fact, working conditions in both the public and private sectors yearn for serious and urgent overhauling.
“Nigeria, so to speak, needs a moral blood transfusion. Nevertheless, with the imminent dispensation, employers and employees must embrace a new ‘regime of merit’ and rebuild the crumbling labour fortress,” the bishop said.
Mr Badejo said as Nigerians plan to observe Workers’ Day on Monday, the government should be sensitive to the workers’ plights and loudly encourage them by paying handsomely.
“Only a just relationship driven by dialogue and sensitivity can guarantee an escape from the quagmire of resentment and suspicion which currently characterises the relationship between employees and employers in the country.
“With that new hope, it is still pertinent even today to say to all: Happy Workers’ Day with wishes for a brighter future,” he said.
Mr Badejo also emphasised that integral human development, the ideal of all humanity, would remain a mirage if contentious issues concerning work were not resolved.
(NAN)
