Workers in Oyo State on Friday joined millions across the globe to mark International Workers’ Day, converging at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, with renewed calls for improved welfare, safer working conditions and urgent economic reforms.
This year’s celebration, themed “Insecurity, Poverty – Bane of Decent Work,” placed strong emphasis on the growing impact of insecurity and economic hardship on productivity, livelihoods and workers’ well-being.
Speaking at the event, the Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Kayode Martins, lamented the persistent challenges of insecurity and poverty affecting Nigerian workers. He urged governments at all levels to prioritise policies that will reduce poverty, guarantee job security and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Also speaking, the Trade Union Congress Chairman, Comrade Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro, called on the Federal Government to introduce tax relief measures and ensure that crude oil is supplied to refineries at subsidised rates in order to reduce the financial burden on workers.
The Oyo State Government, in its address, reaffirmed its commitment to workers’ welfare, promising continued prompt payment of salaries, improved working conditions and sustained efforts to secure lives and property across the state.
The state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, stated that since assuming office in 2019, the administration has consistently paid salaries on or before the 25th of every month without owing workers. He added that prompt salary payment remains not only a welfare policy but also an economic strategy aimed at boosting local markets, supporting small businesses and strengthening the state’s internally generated revenue.
Addressing security concerns, the government noted that it has strengthened community-based security through the Amotekun Corps, improved collaboration among security agencies and invested in logistics and surveillance to ensure a safer environment for workers and residents.
The event featured colourful march pasts, solidarity songs and renewed commitments by labour unions to continue advocating for the protection of workers’ rights and improved welfare conditions.
As the celebration ended, workers expressed hope that sustained commitment from both government and employers would help address the economic and security challenges currently affecting the Nigerian workforce.
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