2025 workers’ day: NHRC greets Nigerian workers, among the economic challenges

2025 workers’ day: NHRC greets Nigerian workers, among the economic challenges

Abuja (basic reporter) National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has extended its solidarity with Nigerian workers on the occasion of the international work day of 2025 (aka day of workers), stating that their tireless commitment continued to guide the progress of the nation despite the economic challenges.

The executive secretary of the Commission, dr. Tony Ojukwu (San) in his observation to commemorate the day, said that Nigerian workers are facing unprecedented difficulties due to the high inflation rate that has significantly eroded the purchasing power of the salaries, making it increasingly difficult for workers to afford basic needs of life. The impregnated cost of transport has further aggravated these challenges, often hindering the ability of workers to move to their workplaces, thus influencing overall productivity, said.

According to the famous supporter of human rights, the Commission detects the hard economic realities caused by recent economic reforms with great concern. These exacerbated the poverty they complained, making people vulnerable to diseases and preventive deaths due to inadequate access to nutrition and health care.

“While praising the federal government so far for some of the initiatives so far taken to relieve economic difficulties, we ask for economic reforms that give priority to human dignity, social justice and the well -being of citizens. The Nigerians deserve policies that Ojukuw said.

Continuing, the Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria said that the Commission has observed relationships that indicate that the police have sometimes suppressed peaceful protests, organized by citizens and workers who try to attract attention to their grievances. These actions that affirmed not only contravenes the constitutional law to the peaceful assembly, but also suffocate the democratic expression of concerns that is vital for national development.

Dr. Ojukwu used the platform of this commemoration to invite the federal government to commit more to the constructive dialogue, as promised during bad governance protests, which promotes communication channels open with the unions and workers’ representatives to collaborate their concerns in a collaborative way.

He also underlined the need to guarantee that law enforcement agencies respect and support citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, in the peaceful assembly and in the association in all aspects of their life, including economic concerns.

Accept for a declaration by the company director and external connections, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, the head of the NHRC has also urged the unions to take more proactive measures in supporting workers ‘rights as they serve as solid platforms to express workers’ concerns and negotiate better conditions for their Earfalf.

He reiterated the commitment of the Commission to safeguard the rights of Nigerian workers and ensure that their voices are heard, respected and acted, adding that the International Labor Day acts as a strong reminder of the valuable contribution of Nigerian workers to national development.

The international work festival is celebrated every year on May 1st.

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