May Day: Deputy Speaker Salutes Nigerian Workers

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu has joined millions of Nigerians to salute the nation’s workers on the celebration of 2024 International Workers’ Day.

The Deputy Speaker, in a statement by his special assistant on press affairs, Udora Orizu, extolled the resilience, commitment and dedication of the Nigerian workers, saying that he’s elated by the way they have been conducting themselves over the years.

Kalu stated that this years Workers Day, themed; “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate,” resonates with the agenda of 10th House of Representatives towards addressing climate-change-related issues and ensuring a safer and healthier working environment for Nigerian workers.

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He also stated that the theme underscores the urgency of addressing climate change’s impacts on occupational safety, health, and the necessity of safer work environments

Kalu said that the parliament is committed to fostering legislative actions geared towards protection of workers’ rights, better welfare for their labour and a safer and healthier workplace.

He also said that some of the legislative action to be taken include strengthening the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to effectively enforce environmental laws, regulations, and standards and ensure compliance with international agreements, conventions, and environmental treaties, among others.

Noting that the workers are the driving force of a country, the Deputy Speaker urged them to keep hope alive, assuring that governments at all levels are working together towards making life better for them.

He wished the workers a happy international worker’s day.

Kalu said, “Happy International Labour Day to Nigerian Workers. Today, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of workers worldwide. Your contributions are invaluable. The workers are the driving force of a country. They are the ones who do most of the work to initiate development. The workers get down to the roots of things and start work at the basic level to initiate positive changes to the country and the world. Workers are extremely important as they are the backbone of a society.

“The parliament is happy with the way Nigerian workers have been conducting themselves over the years. This year’s theme resonates with the agenda of 10th House of Representatives towards addressing climate-change-related issues and ensuring a safer and healthier working environment for Nigerian workers. We’re committed to legislative actions geared towards protection of workers’ rights, better welfare for their labour and a safer and healthier workplace.”

The International Labour Day is celebrated on May 1 every year, to honour and appreciate the contributions of workers all around the world.

The day recognises the hard work and dedication of people who work in various fields to make lives better.