Akwa Ibom workers will join her counterparts nationwide in marking the traditional May day today. This day is unarguably one of the most important days in the life of a Nigerian worker. And in recognition of the importance of this day, government saw the need to declare this day a public holiday. 1st May otherwise called May Day is a day set aside to celebrate workers.
On this day, workers especially those of the organized public sector usually take a time off to relax after the usual rituals of the stadium celebration. But there is a challenge as the year 2014, workers day will be celebrated. This is apparently because there is the feeling of loss and rejection cum financial imbalance amongst the workers. To make matters worse, there is a silent complain amongst the workers of some of them being made victims for standing up to their rights, at least to the best of our knowledge. It however have to be stated very clear that some of the workers from this State who will be joining their colleagues in this celebration will be doing so with a heavy heart as a result of government’s inconsistency on their financial policies towards them.
Government silent policies over the work force has become a cause of concern to the workers and it has thus deprived them of certain joy they ought to have and experience as civil servants. There is always to an extent a clash of interest and responsibilities between the workers and government policies. And now that inconsistency has grown to an extent fast becoming a policy which the workers are forced to live with.
There are so many issues that Akwa Ibom workers are forced to live with and tolerate same. And now if those working are complaining, then the plight of ex-workers are still not made easy. Today, pensioners appear to be the ones facing extreme untold hardship from the inconsistency on the part of government. Getting their gratuity and pension has always been one herculean job these people have since come to live with. Apart from the stress involved in this process, they get paltry sum as due. Governor Godswill Akpabio must have tried to put smiles on the faces of workers but there have been some loopholes somewhere. There loopholes are made possible by men eating and dinning on the table of the government, one has to appreciate the efforts so far by the Governor but then, the State Chief Executive need more than the current effort he is putting into the affairs and welfare of workers, he needs to take authority and really find out what is going on around its workers and those that retired serving the State.
But the government will not be encouraged if its efforts are not reciprocated by the work force and that is why the labour unions in the State especially those in the full time employ of Government should do beyond eye and lip services to the responsibilities of their offices.
As a matter of importance, the Akwa Ibom worker should understand that the economy of the State rests in their hands and hence should employ honesty and dedication to what is before them. This way Government will not be justified not to attend to them and their needs. It is rather funny and pathetic that workers now employ tricks in serving the State. It is very difficult for the workers to convince the populace that they are doing their best to promote the economy of the State. The only group of workers that are doing well could be those doing practical services like teachers, the nurses and those working the health sector.
The truth is that for those working in places like the secretariat; it is difficult not to accuse them of being dishonest to the citizens of the State. Now as late as ten O’ clock in the morning some workers are not on seat and as early as half past two in the afternoon, these persons are packing their bags and getting set to go. These acts are very unfair and something needs to be done on it. It will not be the best for the economy of the State if this is not stopped before it stops us. There should be a new thinking on and of our workers. This is our message.
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