Katsina workers decry economic hardship

By Faith Awa Maji, Katsina

Organised Labour in Katsina State has joined their counterparts across the country on Wednesday to mark the 2024 May Day celebration also known as workers’ day.

Chairman of the Katsina State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hussaini Hamisu Yanduna during the rally to mark the day at the Muhammadu Dikko stadium, lamented that “Life has become miserable; salary is insufficient for workers to accommodate needs of their families.”

“Movement has become difficult from home to the workplace, people are suffering and dying, the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) are no longer reliable, and a litre of petrol is now sold at N950 to N1, 000 in most of our filling stations, thereby making life more challenging for Nigerians.

“Today, workers and the people face serious economic hardship, especially the poor and vulnerable groups.

“The most disheartening thing here in our State is that the fuel stations are locked deliberately to worsen the situation.

“Government should re-introduce the defunct cooperative consumer shops in the State to address the current high cost of food items which is a child of the removal of fuel subsidy.

“This celebration thus provides a veritable platform for both the Federal and state governments, corporate organizations, the Nigerian workers and even civil society organizations to work out a synergy on how to encourage the President in the fight against poverty, corruption being agent of instability a combination of insecurity and huge scale joblessness in the country”, he said.

The Katsina State Governor, Malam Umaru Dikko Radda while addressing the workers said his administration was dedicated to improving the lives of all Katsina residents. “We are diligently working on ongoing labour reforms that prioritize workers’ safety and wellbeing, particularly as our climate evolves.

“We share your concerns about food insecurity and the broader security challenges we face.

“My administration is taking significant steps to address the lingering hunger through the food task force and other agricultural programmes.

“On the security front, we acknowledge the challenges you face.

“My administration is relentlessly pursuing the perpetrators of these heinous acts to ensure your safety at home and in the workplace,” according to Malam Dikko.