At the Southwest Labour Summit organized by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in Ibadan, activist Femi Aborisade made a strong statement, highlighting that Nigerian workers will not achieve a living minimum wage without resorting to strikes, rallies, and protests.
He emphasized that visible actions such as protests and strikes are necessary for the government to take labor demands seriously.
Addressing the theme of the summit, “Repositioning the Labour Movement Amid Economic Decline in Nigeria,” Aborisade urged workers to develop courage and fight for a living minimum wage.
He firmly asserted that industrial actions remain the most effective pathway to securing favorable welfare conditions for workers in Nigeria.
Expressing his concern, Aborisade pointed out that political officeholders in Nigeria are unaware of the poor welfare packages endured by workers across the country, despite the persistent issue of unchecked inflation.
He held existing political parties accountable for their failure to deliver genuine dividends of democracy to Nigerians, including the neglected welfare of workers.
In response to these challenges, Aborisade suggested that workers should organize industrial actions and rallies to advocate for their welfare.
Additionally, he proposed the creation of a strong political party by workers, with a primary focus on representing the interests of workers in governance.
By emphasizing the importance of collective action and workers’ active participation in demanding their rights, Aborisade shed light on the need for a united and resilient labor movement to bring about meaningful change in Nigeria’s labor landscape.
