Buhari to employers on Workers’ Day: Don’t retrench workers

Buhari to employers on Workers’ Day: Don’t retrench workers

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Federal Government will ensure that no employer, especially in the private sector, retrench workers without following the due process.

The President spoke as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate Workers’ Day 2020.

The President also said that he has directed that requisite incentives and hazard allowances enhancement and insurance for lives should be made available to health workers who are on the frontline to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

He urge workers both in the public and private sectors with her formal and informal economy to bear the stringent measures for a while for our common good.

He stated that this would enable us to put the ravaging pandemic under control and restore normalcy within the confines of relevant guidelines issued by health experts and the Government for safety against Covid-19 in order to curtail its spread.

He said: “I acknowledge that it is not easy but nations globally are in a state of war against this pandemic and in a war situation, survival is paramount. Though the lock-down had been partially lifted in States aforementioned, except Kano State, workers are enjoined to observe subsequent rules and regulations issued to ensure the safety of all Nigerian citizens. I understand the anxiety which has plagued the minds of workers over the possibility of job losses due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic and lockdown, especially in the private sector.

“In this regard, the government will ensure that no employer would retrench or lay off workers without going through due process of social dialogue which includes consultations with workers and with the Competent Authority – Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. Furthermore, I had earlier put in place a Presidential Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) with the objective of developing a credible sustainability plan for repositioning the Nigerian economy now and post COVID-19 crisis period.

“The ESC is required to specifically explore ways and means of growing our non-oil sector, all in a bid to minimise the adverse effects of the current crisis and to also protect existing jobs and even create new jobs to help absorb the teeming army of the unemployed even before the crises. I conclude by expressing my appreciation to Medical Doctors and Healthcare Workers as well as their respective organisations, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). These Health workers are doing a great service for humanity. I thank you all. I have directed that requisite incentives and hazard allowances enhancement and insurance for lives should be taken at these perilous times in favour of our Health Sector workers as a way of showing our appreciation”, he added.