Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has assured the Labour Unions of his administration’s commitment to be workers-friendly.
Sanwo-Olu, was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, while advising the Labour Unions, which included the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos Chapter, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other affiliated unions including the Civil Societies, said that a better Nigeria, which is a collective desire of the citizenry is achievable.
He spoke after receiving the letter of request presented by the union leaders during a demonstration held today at the gate of the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, in line with the protest called by the Labour bodies across the country against subsidy removal.
According to the Governor, “All we want is a better Nigeria and I can assure you that we will get there”, promising that the government will give the letter the required priority and be ready to dialogue with the union in addressing issues raised. The reality is we will meet very soon, we will read the letter and then we can now meet your leadership”.
The Governor also thanked the unions for holding a peaceful protest which is fundamental to democracy.
Earlier in her address, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Funmi Sessi said workers need the government’s immediate intervention as many can no longer feed themselves and their families due to the effect of the fuel subsidy removal and other policies of the government.
She noted that Lagos is a fast-rising city in the country, as such, the lives of Lagos workers should reflect such, saying “The government should hasten up the salary restructuring as the N30,000 minimum wage can no longer take care of our needs”.
The Chairman, therefore, called on the Lagos State government to give N30,000 monthly subsidy palliative for the next six months to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.
She further requested that the government should provide vehicles to its parastatals and agencies to convey civil servants from their offices to and from their offices, adding that “stomach Infrastructure is key now”.