The issue of proletarian holiday celebration to attain the eight-hour day for workers commenced first in Australia. In other words, the workers resolved in 1856 to organise a day of complete stoppage, together with meetings and entertainment as a demonstration in support of the eight-hour day. The day in question would have been April 21. Initially, the Australian workers planned this for the year 1856.Following good things that emerged based on a strong effect on the proletarian masses of Australia, enlivening them and leading to new agitation, it was consequently decided to repeat the celebration every year.Following the benefits derived by the Australian workers, the Americans in 1886 decided that May should be the day of universal work stoppage. On this day, 200,000 of them left their work and demanded the eight-hour day. Later, police and legal harassment prevented the workers for many years from repeating this demonstration.In 1888, they renewed their decision and decided that the next celebration would be May 1, 1890. It is a truism to say that workers had it tough in the early years of the American Industrial Revolution (AIR) is widely taught in schools. Sixteen-hour work days in dangerous conditions, child labour, exploitation, and accidents were common; then, magically, everything became better in a civilised 20th century way. The forces behind the change are left ambiguous at best and the radical labour movement isnt discussed; too difficult for young minds, perhaps. As a result, therefore, the vision of masses of militant workers parading through the streets of cities, towns and villages on May Day is lost in the revision of history.From records available, Workers Day began from the 1886 industrial revolution in Chicago, United States where workers laid down their lives to defend the rights of the working people. It is crystal clear that celebration commenced in Nigeria during the Shagaris administration that is, on May 1, 1981. This, I think and believe, was in recognition of Shehu Shagaris administration significant contributions, which Nigerian workers have achieved and will continue to make the economic progress of our beloved country.It seems to me that Nigerian workers have also had their fair share of the struggle for enthronement of workers rights, as well as enhanced package for workers. Despite this, it is true to say that the road to the current situation of workers in Nigeria has been long, rough and tortuous. Thanks to Jonathans administration for the recent increase of minimum wage to N18,000.00 in the civil/public service. Nigerians do hope that the percentage increase should be worked out for other sectors. That is, those not in the unified salary structure.One interesting thing is that unions have vast power and the right to strike has been one of organised labours strongest weapons in achieving that power. Once a union wins a bonafide election, the recognition of that union as a bargaining agent for workers is guaranteed under the law. In Nigeria, many trade unions and workers associations, like Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Congress for Free Trade Union (CFTU), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), National Union of Teachers (NUT), among others, will hold their celebration rallies at different locations.Writing on the workers dilemma in The Pointer of May 4, 2009, its Chairman, Editorial Board, Mr Godfrey Ubaka pointed out that the Nigerian workers even fared reasonably well under the colonial authorities when the shelter was part of his condition of service, his remuneration was sure and he had the right to express his opinion on the unfolding matter of the day. Continuing, he said that the fortune of the Nigerian worker actually plummeted rather sharply in the long years of military mal-administration of the Nigerian State. The military, he went on, recognised the centrality of professionalism in the public service and the private sector. Finally, Mr. Ubaka summarised by advising that the Nigerian workers should get more organised politically and be ready to play a key role in the determination of their future and destiny.He must insist on genuine electoral reforms. The path is usually full of challenges as already shown by the experiences of Obama, Mimiko, Oshiomole and the few other progressives committed to the rewriting of the political history of Nigeria.It seems to me that Nigerian workers need each other to achieve more for this country, especially the civil/public service which is the engine room of any democratic administration. The Organised Private Sector (OPS) is also not left out in this regard. Whatever the case may be, Nigerian workers need to be empowered economically, and their promotion, especially in the public sector should follow guidelines, not by looking at faces or sentiments, especially on tribal grounds or listen to damaging statements which have no foundation in reality.As we celebrate 2011 May Day in Nigeria, we should always think of our pensioners, who may be properly, respectfully, genuinely and humbly described as senior citizens and elder statesmen of the nation. A situation where the senior citizens stay for years without their monthly stipends, having successfully and judiciously served the nation for years is not only frustrating, but killing. It is on record that many of them went to their early graves as a result of the inability of the various establishments to pay their stipends as and when due. Many could not receive their gratuities either. In fact, many pensioners in Nigeria today are walking corpses, begging for death to come for no fault of theirs. I know that Nigerians must have been flabbergasted when a national daily, in its front page of Sunday, March 6, 2011, carried a story on N12b fraud in pension office-Director General, deputy arrested.It is abundantly clear that Nigerian workers have been faced with series of problems, many of which arose from the oppressive and obnoxious policies of previous administrations. Happily, the current democratic structure, under the leadership of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, has looked into the welfare of both serving and retired workers, with the increase in minimum wage, regular monthly salaries, pensioners being paid accordingly. Whatever the case may be, workers are expected to reciprocate and support the government to ensure sustainable development.Soeze wrote in from the PTI, Effuru, Delta State.
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