ABUJA — The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) has urged the Federal Government to act fast by mitigating hardship faced by Nigerian workers.
Mr. Benjamin Anthony, the AUPCTRE President, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in commemoration of Nigeria’s 61st Independence anniversary, on Friday in Abuja.
Anthony noted that the rising cost of commodities, children’s school fees, medicals, accommodation, and transportation were almost beyond the affordability and purchasing power of an average worker in the country.
“The prices of food and other expenses continue to rise daily except workers’ salaries.
“It would be unrealistic not to draw the government’s attention to the suffering of Nigerian workers, which has translated into several industrial crises across Ministry, Department and Agencies,” he said.
The labour leader also urged the government to urgently address the current challenges of kidnapping, banditry and corruption, which had bedeviled the achievement of the current administration.
He commended the government for the recent approval of 14 days paternity leave for workers, calculation of annual leave on working days instead of calendar days and
replacement of APER with New Performance Management System, among others.
“In spite of the suffering and challenges face by workers, I am appealing that our leaders should shun corruption and join hands in eliminating all the ills affecting the growth of this nation,” Anthony said.
