Japa: You Cannot Refuse To Pay Us Decent Wages And Insist On Forcefully Keeping Us – Ajaero Tells FG

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has criticized the federal government for attempting to limit workers’ opportunities to seek employment abroad, despite poor working conditions and low wages at home.

Speaking at the 8th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in Abuja, Ajaero condemned the government’s actions as “another shape of slavery,” asserting that workers have a right to pursue better job opportunities globally.

Ajaero commended NANNM’s leadership for their response to the federal government’s temporary closure of the certificate verification portal, which he claimed was an attempt to prevent healthcare workers from accessing jobs abroad.

The NLC President said: “We commend the exemplary action your leadership took over the issues of the certificate verification portal which was closed in an attempt to scuttle the freedom of Nurses and Midwives to access better opportunities wherever they may exist in the world.

“You cannot refuse to pay us decent wages and insist on forcefully keeping us. This is another shape of slavery! It bears testament to the importance of unity of purpose and its triumph over the forces that seek to continue exploiting and emasculating workers.

“It speaks to the continuing need for constant vigilance on our part to interrogate all the powers that seek to undermine our rights as workers and as a trade union movement.”

He also used the opportunity to emphasize the importance of safeguarding the unity they’ve achieved, along with the peace and stability now present in their union.

According to Ajaero, “These are essential cornerstones upon which the edifice of progress and change is built.

“It is only when we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, that we find the strength to weather the storms that may come our way. United, we are an unyielding force, capable of influencing the course of history in favour of the working people and building a future for our nation which will be the envy of other nations.”

Reflecting on the current economic challenges, Ajaero highlighted the high cost of electricity, fuel, and transportation, which has intensified food scarcity and hunger nationwide.

“Today, the nation’s macro-economic indices are all heading down south without any letting. Electricity tariff has gone up making power almost inaccessible to a greater number of our citizens. Petrol prices have gone through the roof and are nearly impossible for an average Nigerian to afford. Transportation has thus become difficult leading to never–seen levels of food scarcity and hunger in the country.

“That unfortunately has become our lot and that has become what the majority of Nigerians look up to us to ameliorate. Comrades, we need your unity and your strength if we are to creatively engage these forces and make governance work for a greater number of workers and people.

“As it is today, our choices are very limited. It is either we find a way to collectively overcome the forces that are bent on keeping us down as a people or we completely surrender to them while wringing our hands in hopelessness.

“The forces of neoliberalism must be challenged and the trade union movement remains the only viable force in Nigeria and the world that can creatively engage it and mitigate its stranglehold on our nation.

“We must offer strong counterpoise to their prebendal logic and must proffer newer arguments to triumph over their quest for profit at the detriment of the social will. It is only by remaining strong and united that we can hope to achieve that.

“It is sad but we cannot afford to keep our public refineries shut while still importing refined petroleum products. We demand a review of our salaries instead of its eroded values. We must together demand the recommissioning of Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries in keeping with the agreement we had with the federal government on the 5th day of October 2023,” he added.

In his message to the incoming NANNM leadership, Ajaero urged them to uphold healthcare workers’ rights, improve working conditions, and demonstrate impactful leadership.

“True leadership transcends titles and positions; it is reflected in the impact you have on the lives of those you serve. Advocating for fair working conditions, championing healthcare workers’ rights, and striving for equity are not just duties—they are the marks of meaningful leadership.

“We pledge to stand with you at all times no matter the situation. Make better use of your two worthy ambassadors in the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the NLC,” he tasked them.

NANNM President Comrade Michael Nnachi, also addressing the conference, appreciated the outgoing leadership’s efforts and urged incoming leaders to prioritize the welfare of nurses and midwives.

Reflecting on recent social media tensions within the nursing community, Nnachi reminded members of the importance of professionalism, unity, and mutual respect, especially as the union prepares for upcoming elections.

He emphasized that elections should foster organizational growth and unity, cautioning against actions that would harm NANNM’s reputation and mission.