From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Organised labour leaders in Cross River State have appealed to the state government to urgently address rising insecurity and worsening economic conditions, describing both as major threats to productivity and workers’ welfare.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Comrade Olayi Gregory, made the appeal during his address at the May Day celebration held in Calabar, where he lamented what he described as a “lackadaisical approach” to pressing challenges affecting workers and residents.
According to him, no economy can thrive sustainably in an atmosphere of insecurity.
“Across our state and nation, workers navigate a fragile environment in which personal safety is no longer guaranteed.
“From highways to our communities, workplaces and farmlands, the rising tide of insecurity continues to erode productivity, distort livelihoods, and suffocate the workforce. A worker living in fear cannot produce at full capacity,” he said.
He also expressed concern over worsening economic hardship, noting that inflation has significantly reduced the value of workers’ salaries.
“Our monthly incomes are no longer enough to guarantee survival, let alone dignity.
“The promise of decent work, fair wages, safe conditions, and social protection, remains for many, an unfulfilled covenant,” he added.
Gregory further disclosed that organised labour had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government on November 30, 2026, but suspended it as a gesture of goodwill to allow dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues.
He said labour’s demands remain outstanding and clearly documented, including the non-implementation of promotions since 2016, which he said has demoralised workers and stalled career progression.
He also called for the proper handling of recent recruitments under the Local Government Service Commission, insisting that duly employed staff should not be disengaged or excluded from payroll.
On pensions, the NLC chairman decried the non-harmonisation with the new national minimum wage, warning that it has widened inequality between serving workers and retirees, while also noting delays in gratuity payments.
He further criticised what he described as distortions in the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage, stressing that agreements reached with government must be fully respected.
On the education sector, labour rejected any move to breach the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022, insisting that teachers should retire at 65 years or 40 years of service, as provided by law.
The union also faulted the handling of salary reviews for health workers, stating that the approved 15 per cent adjustment should be fully consolidated into basic salary as agreed, not treated as an allowance.
Labour further raised concerns over manpower shortages in the health sector, calling for urgent recruitment of nurses and midwives, as well as the implementation of the 65-year retirement age or 40 years of service for clinical professionals to retain experienced personnel.
They also demanded financial autonomy for the judiciary in line with existing agreements, prompt payment of outstanding salaries and allowances for judicial staff, correction of salary structure issues in the arts and culture sector, and resolution of funding challenges affecting UNICROSS staff salaries.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) State Chairman, Comrade Ken Bassey, also called on government to take urgent and proactive measures to tackle insecurity and poverty, warning that both continue to undermine development and social stability in the state.
“The presence of insecurity and poverty erodes productivity, which in turn hampers delivery of fair income, social protection, and personal development. Government at all levels must act, and the time is now,” he said.
