Text of the Address by
His Excellency
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria
on the occasion of the
INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION OF WORKERS DAY
Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
Friday, May 1, 2020
My dear Ekiti Workers
I rejoice with you and other workers all over the world on this memorable day. I congratulate all workers in Ekiti State for joining their counterparts across the world in commemoration of the year 2020 International Workers Day.
Today, we celebrate the dignity of labour and the value of productive work which are necessary for socio-economic development of societies. Today is the Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity. It is a day that is commonly associated with the achievements of the labour movement all over the globe. May 1st 1890, marked the beginning of the celebration of May Day. The initial struggle then for an 8-hour workday, better wages and safe working conditions finally culminated in the victory being celebrated every May 1st.
The theme of this years Workers Day “COVID-19 Pandemic and its Social Economic Impact on the Nigerian Working Class is very apt considering the prevailing situation. Nigeria as a nation is contending with multifaceted challenges of curtailing the spread of COVID-19 and its adverse effects on the economy and wellbeing of the citizenry.
Workers Day 2020 is an unusual celebration, occasioned by the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that the whole world is grappling with. I address you today with mixed feelings; sadness that we could not celebrate May Day with pomp and pageantry as it has been the practice annually due to the COVID-19 lockdown that keeps the entire world indoors; but pride at the commitment and sacrifice that Ekiti workers have made in our effort to curtail this pandemic.
Though government has continued to provide some palliatives to cushion the effect of this lockdown, we are not oblivious of the fact that the palliative might not be sufficient compared to when you have your whole freedom to fend for yourself. We are equally conscious of the fact that the palliative means more to the masses. That is why the government is focusing more on the most vulnerable ones among us. As a government, we assure you that we shall not relent on this until normalcy is restored. For the umpteenth time, I urge you all to be your neighbours keepers.
As I earlier said, this years Workers Day is devoid of the usual fanfare due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a global scourge and we are all in it together. As a responsible government, we acted decisively, including taking the tough decisions of imposing movement restrictions and directing the majority of our workers to stay away from the office with a view to preventing the spread of the virus in our dear state. I must commend the hard work and sacrifice of our medical and health workers as well as other government officials in combating the pandemic.
The labour movement in Ekiti State has been both resilient and responsible in its approach to labour matters. I commend the leadership of the States Organized Labour, under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), for standing firm in championing the cause of the workers employing effective strategies characterized by dialogue and responsible leadership. I commend you for your maturity, sacrifice and patience in the face of the difficulties in the global economy. The enduring atmosphere of industrial peace and tranquility in the State enhanced immeasurably the landmark achievements so far recorded by the Administration. The grit, passion, commitment and industry of workers of the State are also commendable.
The welfare and improved working conditions of workers shall continue to be our priority. Salaries, pensions and gratuities are being paid as and when due. I am sure you have received your April 2020 salary and all allowances due to our health workers who are at the frontline of COVID-19 response have been paid.
We continue to pay the N30, 000 minimum wage for junior cadre in the public service and have reinstated merit based appointments to elevate the standards of the public service. Official vehicles have been allocated to serving and some retired Permanent Secretaries while we have increased our investment in training and capacity building for the public service. Also, it is on record that all outstanding promotions as at December 2019 had been addressed across the Public Service.
Work is progressing steadily on the abandoned structures at the State Secretariat complex to ease the challenge of inadequate office accommodation for our workers. Housing and Car Loans are being granted to workers. Our new policy of six months Maternity Leave for women in the public service which took effect from February 1, 2020, is aimed at reducing to the barest minimum infant and maternal mortality rate, as well as facilitate work-life balance for female workers in the state. All of these are geared toward making life and working more comfortable for Ekiti workers.
I would like to salute the dedication of many public officers working tirelessly to ensure delivery on the key projects of our administration including the World Bank assisted potable water project for all Ekiti communities; the New Ado-Iyin Road; the rehabilitation of some community access roads; construction of new schools and rehabilitation of many more as well as our significant investment in service delivery in the Education, Healthcare and Agriculture sectors of our economy. Together, we will continue to make governance work for Ekiti residents.
The challenges before the State are many but not insurmountable. The Public Service Joint Negotiation Council was on the verge of concluding negotiations on the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage when the effects of the deadly pandemic Coronavirus dealt a fatal blow on global economy and indeed, the National and State economy. This may affect the resumption of negotiations but we are optimistic that the battle would be won soon, and that the world economy would come out of the present recession to enable the State conclude on the process and its consequential adjustments.
There will always be challenges in life and what defines invincibility is the way such problems are tackled and overcome. I wish to assure you, great Ekiti workers that, with your support, this Administration will overcome our collective challenges. I solicit more of your cooperation and understanding as partners in the Ekiti project.
This period may be tough, but we are resilient, strong and courageous these traits had propelled us to overcome adversities in the past and thrive as a State. As we mark this years Workers Day, let us renew our hope and determination with the belief that this time too shall pass.
I wish to reiterate that the labour movement should not only enquire after what workers can get from Government, but also what they can contribute to support Government in making a difference in the lives of the people especially at this time of economic recession. No doubt, there will always be agitations and struggles. However, these must be focused on realistic goals noting that Government must balance several competing interests.
While thanking you for your efforts so far, I urge you to do more, especially in the area of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). All hands must be on deck, to boost our Internally Generated Revenue to stabilize and free Ekiti State from incessant economic shackles.
Whatever we do, we must place the interest of Ekiti State above our personal interest.
We celebrate all our workers, particularly our Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Midwives, other health practitioners and essential workers for their diligence and total commitment to protecting our lives against this scourge. Your dedication to duty is the reason why Ekiti has kept our COVID-19 infection rate in single digit to date. We are very proud of you and grateful for the sacrifices you make on the frontline to keep us safe. Be assured that your sensitive and critical roles are appreciated and every hour of your hard work brings us closer to a return to normal life. We should draw strength from the fact that together we achieve more, and indeed, God being on our side, we shall all win.
COVID-19 may have robbed us of the opportunity of celebrating today with the usual fanfare and joy but it will not take away our core values of looking out for one another. In the spirit of the love that binds us as a people and in commemoration of year 2020 May Day, I have accepted the list submitted by the leadership of organized labour i.e. NLC, TUC with details of those identified as the most vulnerable members of your Unions i.e. the Sick (bed ridden), those involved in serious accident and/ or on admission, those that became widows and widowers from January 1st, 2020 till date, and approved money to be given to them as a little leverage of government support in commemoration of this years May Day.
As a government, we are determined to play our part at making work and its environment conducive for Ekiti workers. This, we believe is the only way that we can inspire our workers to give in their best in the implementation of policies and programmes of our government, and development of the State with more commitment.
I sincerely appreciate the leadership of the Service in our state for their donations to the COVID-19 account and the Food Bank. These gestures demonstrate the Public Service values of loyalty and service to the people. I also wish to use this platform to appreciate other well-meaning Nigerians, Individuals and Corporate Bodies that have donated cash and food items to the Food Bank.
Finally, I urge you all to use the present situation to renew your strength, determination, hope, solidarity and unity for better service to our dear State. I congratulate you for witnessing the year 2020 Workers Day. God bless Ekiti Workers!
I love you all. May God heal the world and keep us safe.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor
