The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has called on the federal and state governments, and other employers of labour to prioritise workers’ welfare including providing favourable work conditions.
Archbishop Okoh made the call in a signed statement on Monday in commemoration of the May 1 Workers’ Day celebration in the country.
He said it is important that workers are treated with dignity and respect while encouraging workers to continue to approach their work with diligence, excellence, and integrity, knowing that their labour is not in vain.
The statement read in part, “The Christian Association of Nigeria extends warm greetings to all Nigerian workers on this year’s May Day celebration. As we commemorate this day, we recognize the invaluable contributions of Nigerian workers to the growth and development of our great nation.
“We commend the resilience, dedication, and hard work of Nigerian workers, who have continued to drive the economy forward despite the numerous challenges facing the nation. We recognize the sacrifices they make daily to ensure that their families and the nation at large have a better future.”
“As Christians, we believe that work is not just a means of earning a living but also a means of fulfilling our God-given purpose on earth. We, therefore, encourage all Nigerian workers to continue to approach their work with diligence, excellence, and integrity, knowing that their labour is not in vain.”
Continuing, Archbishop Okoh said, “We also want to use this occasion to express our solidarity with Nigerian workers who have been adversely affected by the current economic situation. So, we call on the government and employers to ensure that workers are treated with dignity and respect and provided with decent working conditions, fair wages, and job security.”
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is committed to working with stakeholders to promote the welfare and well-being of Nigerian workers and will continue to advocate for policies and programmes that will enhance their productivity, skills, and job opportunities.
“Once again, we congratulate Nigerian workers on this year’s May Day celebration and urge them to continue to uphold the dignity of labour,” he added.
