President Muhammadu Buhari has advised the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu to continue to respect workers’ rights as part of its core development agenda.
The President stated this in his speech at this year’s May Day celebration, which was delivered by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
Politics Nigeria gathered that Buhari said his administration believed in the enthronement of decent work that was productive, delivered a fair income with security and social protection, and safeguarded the basic rights of workers.
In his own message, the president-elect assured organised labour of his partnership, saying he would not only be to them a dependable ally, but also one that would always fight for them.
On their part, organised labour advised the federal government not to adhere to the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the economic challenges bedevilling the country, saying they are usually poisonous.
Buhari, in his speech, said the federal government was committed “to reducing poverty and forging a path to achieving equitable, inclusive and sustainable development, and, ultimately, peace and security in communities”.
He said, “Workers’ rights coupled with socio-economic justice make a happy workplace. We, therefore, agree that a fair economic structure targeted at creating opportunities for all to succeed irrespective of sex, race/ethnicity, age, disability, creed, religion, etc., is sine qua non for progress and development.
“I encourage incoming administration to continue to respect workers’ rights imbued with socio-economic development and driven by the four pillars of the decent work agent to promote jobs and enterprises, guaranteeing rights at work, extending social protection, and promoting social dialogue for consensus building and maintaining a Sound National Industrial Relations System.”
