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By Chioma Gabriel , OWERRI

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Anyim Pius Anyim, have commended Nigerian workers for their steadfastness and determination to put in their best despite the harsh economic realities of the day, assuring them that their sacrifice would not be in vain.

In his May Day message, Uzodimma assured workers in Imo State that his government will continue to improve their welfare and working conditions.

In a statement  Governor Uzodimma personally wrote to mark the 2022 Workers Day,  he said: “I have constantly acknowledged the importance of Labour in our society and the need for a commensurate appreciation of the dedication and sacrifices of our workers.

“As a Government, we have maintained a cordial relationship with the various Labour Unions in the state and have continued to improve on the welfare and working conditions of Imo workers.

“With the reformed system we have implemented, Imo workers now have a defined career path that guarantees growth even as they enjoy other benefits including the new minimum wage, automated and prompt benefit payment, free transport shuttle, workplace healthcare services and others.

“I, therefore, join leaders of goodwill in celebrating Imo Workers today, as they commemorate the International Labour Day.”

In his 2022 May Day message to workers issued by his campaign office in Abuja, the former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim lamented the downturn in the quality of the life of workers in the country caused by a bad economic situation which had made the living condition of the entire working class, both in the public and private sectors, a nightmare.

In the statement signed by the campaign spokesperson, Ahmed Buhari, the presidential aspirant cited the high rate of inflation, underemployment, salary delays, and salary denials as some of the major economic challenges being faced by workers as well as myriads of non-economic factors that had brought pains to workers in the country.

He also hailed the Nigerian workers for continuing to put in their best despite the difficult work environment, describing workers as genuine patriots.

Anyim also urged workers not to be demoralised by the situation of things, assuring them that by the grace of God, the ongoing political transition would enthrone a new government in 2023 that would be mindful of the plight of workers, and be competent in the management of the economy and be able to reverse the pains of today.

He said: ” It is shocking how the living and working conditions of the Nigerian public and private sector workers have rapidly deteriorated in the last few years.

“As I celebrate with you on the occasion of this year’s Workers’ Day, I share with you the pains and agony of Nigerian workers. On one hand, uncontrolled inflation has wiped out the purchasing power of the civil and public servants as well as the private sector workers.

“On the other hand, the deplorable state of the Nigerian economy has made it almost impossible to raise salaries and wages to a commensurate level with the Inflation rate, thereby putting workers in a further quagmire.

“And yet, many workers in the country are grossly underemployed and underpaid in the face of galloping Inflation.

“In addition, the over-yoked workers, like the rest of Nigerians, are also contending with insecurity, exorbitant rents, poor transport facilities, and dearth of other vital infrastructures.

“Despite these militating factors, you have continued to work and create wealth for the country. This resilience, undoubtedly, marks Nigerian workers out as great patriots, who, given the right environment would be at the forefront of launching Nigeria into her rightful place in terms of development.

“Your sacrifice shall not be in vain. I urge you to take the ongoing political transition seriously and participate actively, so that by 2023, Nigeria will have a very competent government that will address all the challenges dragging the country down.

“By the grace of God, I see a greater and brighter Nigeria emerging from the agonies of the present time”, the 2023 presidential aspirant stated.”

Vanguard News Nigeria