The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Sunday assured Nigerian workers of the commitment of the House to improving workers’ welfare.
A statement issued in Abuja on the occasion of the Workers’ Day by Mr Turaki Hassan, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the Speaker, quoted Dogara as saying that improvement in the condition of workers was critical to the change agenda of the current administration.
“The International Workers’ Day was borne out of the struggle for improved workers’ rights and better working conditions,’’ Dogara said.
The speaker drew attention to the ongoing review of obsolete and outdated laws by the House.
He said many of the laws would, when amended, make life easier for people who engage in productive activities across the country.
“Workers are the lifeblood of every nation and a well trained and motivated workforce is vital to our goal of a vibrant, strong , productive and efficient economy.
“A modern , knowledgeable and effective workforce is at the heart of the legislative agenda of the eighth House of Representatives.
“Today, we honour those silent heroes who brave tough conditions to deliver their best; from our teachers to our doctors to our civil servants.
“To our farmers, to our self employed youths and women, who make out a living in spite of the harsh economic conditions of today,” he said.
Dogara also identified unemployment as one of the greatest threats to the nation’s security and progress.
“We hope that the 2016 budget will be faithfully implemented to kick start the process of national renewal.
“We will ensure that quality job creation is at the centre of any government contracts and international agreements.
“We must invest in the training and retraining of our workers to be the best and to have the necessary tools to compete anywhere in the world, ” he said.
The speaker congratulated the NLC and other labour unions for the sacrifices, maturity, partnership and understanding they had exhibited in the conduct of labour relations in the country.
