Independence: NLC wants improved workers’ welfare

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Enugu state on Wednesday appealed to government at all levels to improve the welfare of workers to ensure improved productivity and industrial peace.

Chumaife Nze, the NLC chairman in the state, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

Assessing the achievements of the country since gaining independence, the union leader stressed the need for industrial peace and harmony.

Nze, who applauded the federal and state governments for remarkable improvement in infrastructure, agriculture, education and health sectors, lamented that much had not been done concerning the welfare of workers.

“Nigeria at 54 has actually done well. We can say that there is an improvement in what we have in education, health, road and agriculture,” he said.

“If you look at what workers have been collecting as take home package before and what we have now, there is an improvement. The only issue is that if you match what we collect as workers with social security, it is not enough to take care of our immediate family needs.

“What a worker takes home as salary seems to be below expectation. The government should, as often as possible, look at the economic situation of the country, increase workers welfare packages so that we will have enough to take care of our family needs.”

He urged the government to introduce some social packages like housing and car loans to improve productivity of workers, especially at both state and federal levels.

He also called on the government to create more employment opportunities for youths in the country, diversify the economy and maintain peace.

“The government should also consider the aged in the society especially pensioners,” he said.

“Government should pay pensioners to enable those men and women who served their fatherland to carter for their families after retirement.”