From Balarabe Junaidu Nuhu, Kaduna.
The labour unions struggle for increased workers salaries in Nigeria has been described as desirable towards improved productivity.
The National Chairman Lake Chad Basin Fishery Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Gamandi said this in a telephone interview with Journalists in Kaduna.
He said the need for the agitation of upward review of workers salaries must be addressed to pave way for meaningful progress.
The chairman noted that the current disagreement on specific pay package for the workers is adversely affecting Nigerians in many ways.
Alhaji Abubakar Gamandi said the sixty two thousand naira proposal as minimum wage to Nigerian worker would not solve his or her problems per month, hence the need for a rethink on the part of government to review the amount upward.
He was also of the view that the proposed sixty two thousand naira is equally grossly inadequate to meet the needs of the worker’s transport fare, talkless of feeding and other expenses.
The National Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Fishery Association of Nigeria further observed that with poor remuneration, workers cannot perform creditably, advising the government to do all it could to ensure great improvement in the pay package of the workers.
He added that with the current high cost of living in the country, government should not expect the best from the workers with poor pay.
Alhaji Abubakar Gamandi also stressed the need for the government to struggle for the appreciation of the nation’s currency to help stabilise the economy.
The chairman however explained that any attempt by the federal government to turn a deaf ear to workers demands would spell doom for the country.
He went on to encourage the labour unions to remain committed in the fight for the rights of the Nigerian worker no matter the pressure.
Alhaji Gamandi was of the view that without harmonious working condition among the workers, peace and progress would remain a mirage.
He therefore accused substantial number of state governors for lack of prodent management of public resources at their disposal.
On the fishery activities in the Lake Chad Basin, Alhaji Abubakar Gamandi said armed bandits are still terrorising fishermen, and called for enhanced security in the basin.
ALamanah daily-Hausa/English 