As Nigerian’s celebrate worker’s day on Thursday May 1, 2025, a South West Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has called on Government at the different levels to reduce inflation and improve workers’ purchasing power, economic growth and development.
Ajadi who is an employer of labour, a friend and supporter of labour movement stated this in a statement to mark this year’s Workers Day, where he rejoiced with the workers and shared in their pains due to current economic hardship.
Ajadi said, a raise in salaries of workers may not be the solution to their plights if the current galloping inflation is allowed to continue, urging government at all levels to think out of the box and ensure that workers live a decent life.
Workers’ Day is an annual celebration of the labour movement and its achievements. It has its origin in the movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
According to the statement, “I rejoice with Nigerian workers as they celebrate their day on Thursday May 1, 2025. I share in your joy and equally share your pains due to the current economic hardship.
“We appreciate your contributions to the country and wish you a successful celebration. Let me use the occasion of this year’s Workers’ Day to appeal to both the state government’s and the Federal Government to improve the purchasing power of the workers.
“Nigerian workers deserve our appreciation and respect for their contributions to the development of our country. I also salute them for their patriotic cooperation with the government and other institutions in the collective efforts to address societal challenges.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Labour creates wealth for the nation, the more reason that the welfare of the Nigerian workers should always be accorded priority.
“Increment in salaries alone without a corresponding value will not end the workers’ suffering. The current galloping inflation should be halted by the government so that workers can enjoy the good value of their hard – earned income.
“Government should assist the workers by bring down the prices of good and services as this would buoy the workers’ purchasing power,” the statement added.
