Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed optimism that Nigeria would emerge strong from its sociopolitical and economic woes through patriotic resolve to depart from neoliberal policies.
In a statement signed by Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Edo Council of NLC, he charged the workers to use the country’s 65th anniversary to reflect on how to organise and mobilize to free the country from the clutches of neoliberal agents.
“Workers are having it rough and freedom come by struggle,” the statement maintained.
Prof. Igbafen insisted that the hope of respite for the Nigerian workers from economic hardship and uncertainty is dim if the ruling elite continue to govern the country in accordance with the dictates of neoliberal ideology.
According to him, “The conditions and wages of workers have been made a laughing stock by the government policy of deregulation and other related policies, which tend to retrench the State from the socioeconomic well-being of Nigrians, including workers.
“The present parlour state of the Nigerian workers is such that the Independence celebration is a reminder of failure of leadership or the State to bring succour to workers after several years of political independence.
“Edo NLC used the opportunity of the independence celebration to admonish those still sporting for trouble in Edo NLC to have a rethink”, .