IndustriALL Global Union salutes all Nigerian workers and the rest of the workers around the world on the historic occasion of the 2017 May Day Celebration.

IndustriALL Global Union with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, represents 50 million workers in 140 countries in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors, a new force in global solidarity taking up the fight for better working conditions and trade union rights around the world.

As the Vice President representing Africa in the global union, on behalf of the President of IndustriALL Global Union, Jörg Hofmann, General Secretary, Valter Sanches and the entire members of the Executive Committee I hereby extend to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the working men and women in Africa and the world in general our fraternal greetings and solidarity.

As you all know, today is a day of action. A day to celebrate the dignity of labour. A day to celebrate the role of workers in the fight for democracy and social justice. It is a special day to draw global attention to the plight of workers and pensioners particularly in Nigeria.
THEME
The theme of this year’s May Day celebration jointly organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is “Labour Relations in Economic Recession: An Appraisal”.

On this historic occasion, IndustriALL Global Union reaffirms its commitment to the full implementation of the five (5) key goals of IndustriALL namely;

1. Building Union Power
2. Confront Global Capital
3. Defense of Workers’ Rights
4. Fight Precarious Work
5. Ensure Sustainable Industrial Development

Today is therefore a day of “NOs” and “YES”.

•“NO” to violation of workers’ rights, “YES” to protection of workers’ rights.

•“NO” to delayed payment of Salaries and Pensions, “YES” to regular payment of salaries and pensions.

•“NO” to low pay/poor wages, “YES” to new National Minimum Wage.

•“NO” to low representation of women in the Unions, “YES” to 40 per cent representation of women in the unions.

•“NO” to casual and contract work, “YES” to DECENT Work.

•“NO” to factory closures, “YES” to re- industrialization.

•“NO” to Xenophobia, “YES” to solidarity of workers of the world.

•“NO” to Corruption, “YES” to Accountability and Good Governance.

•“NO” to insecurity, “YES” to Security and prosperity for all.

•“NO” to War and Terrorism, “YES to GLOBAL PEACE”.DSC_0433

•“NO” to Mass Poverty, “YES” to Global prosperity.

Wishing you all a happy May Day celebration.

Comrade Issa Aremu, mni
VICE PRESIDENT, IndustriALL Global Union