The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, FCT Council, has tasked members to always uphold the ethics of the profession by insisting on objectivity.
This is as the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, called on Nigerian workers to be more diligent and dedicated as they serve humanity even as they await the commencement of the N30, 000 minimum wage in May.
The Abuja NUJ Council conveyed its message in a statement by the Secretary of Council, Ochiaka Ugwu, on behalf of the Council Chairman, Emmnauel Ogbeche while the Kaduna State Chairman of the NLC, Ayuba Sulaiman, spoke at a Pre-May Day lecture held in Kaduna with the theme: “Uniting Workers for Social and Economic Advancement.”
Ogbeche, who urged members to always hold tenaciously to the ethics of the profession, said NUJ FCT would not be observing the 2019 Workers’ Day celebration due to inadequacy of funds.
The statement read in part: “As we wish our colleagues all the best as this day is marked, Council reiterates the need for journalists’ employment and social rights to be respected and improved on, especially at this time of economic downturn.
“It is also important that government at all levels do not allow employers to use the economic crisis as an excuse to dismiss vulnerable employees or cut back on crucial benefits.
“We believe that Labour legislation must be strengthened as it has too many loopholes, which too often lead to personal interests being put before workers’ rights.
“Another crucial issue for us is the continuing non payment of salaries by private media owners, which the National Body is working hard to correct.”
While pledging Council’s total commitment to improving working conditions and social protection for journalists, Ogbeche stressed the importance of protecting journalists engaged in “precarious work conditions without commiserate pay and adequate protection.”
He also called on the government to quickly implement the new N30, 000 minimum wage as this will go a long way in improving the welfare of workers and boost their morale.
The Abuja NUJ Chairman however, confirmed that the council would celebrate the Press Freedom Day slated for May 2, which will be in partnership with UNESCO, urging members to participate as important issues affecting journalism profession and journalists would be discussed
Meanwhile, speaking at the lecture organised to mobilise workers in Kaduna towards the celebration of the international Workers Day as well as impress on them the importance of the day to organised labour and the working class, Sulaiman said: “During this celebration, we are offering solidarity to the cause of social justice, freedom of expression, human right, rule of law and we are supporting democracy.
“On May Day, we present our grievances, our needs, our agitations to the political class for succour; promote our unity and solidarity because strength lies in our unity.”
While soliciting for support and solidarity of workers, he promised to bring back May Day celebration in the state, saying, “We are going to celebrate our May Day in the proper way as obtainable in the world.”
Lead speaker at the event, Mr. Isah Aremu, stressed the importance of unity among workers pointing out that it was only through unity that their needs would be met by the government.
“We must bet united so that we can bargain together or be divided and become beggars; we must have unity to create jobs, unity for prosperity against poverty among others,” he said.
