Jare Babatunde
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday said that workers are critical to the growth of the economy, while also describing health workers as heroes for their roles in combating Coronavirus pandemic.
The governor also announced that the State Government had put in place additional life and health insurance for all frontline health workers to cater for the hazard they face in the ongoing battle against the virus.
He disclosed this at the State House in Marina, where the Lagos State Government and leaders of organised labour unions held a low-key event to commemorate the 2020 Workers’ Day.
“Workers across public and private sectors, who are represented by various Labour Unions, are the engine-rooms of our economy, and the nucleus of wealth generation” Sanwo – Olu said.
“My administration will always seek harmonious relationship with workers for the progress and prosperity of our State. The prompt approval and payment of the new minimum wage is a proof that we care about the welfare of our workforce.
“It is only fitting that I dedicate this year’s commemoration of the Workers’ Day to celebrating the true heroes of this season, which are the health workers on the frontline of the battle against Covid-19.
“Since this virus started to ravage our communities and disrupt our lives, these heroes have not just been going to work daily, they have been going to war daily against this unseen enemy.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the State Government had put in place additional life and health insurance for all frontline health workers, adding that approval has also been given for increment in their allowance.
“I should also mention that we have put in place additional health and life insurance for all our frontline health workers in the state to ensure that they are adequately insured. This gives them insurance protection on two levels” the governor said.
“As part of the ongoing efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Lagos, we approved a 400 per cent increment in the Hazard Allowance of Health Officers in the State for the month of April.
“We have also introduced a COVID-19 Allowance for all our frontline workers, which is a very generous amount that takes cognizance of the heightened risks of the jobs they have to do. All these are intended to appreciate the dedication of all our Health Officers in the fight against COVID-19.”
He reiterated his commitment to workers’ welfare, stressing that his Government had expanded the opportunity of training and capacity building for the Lagos workforce.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) chairman in Lagos, Comrade Agnes Sessi, speaking said despite the ravaging pandemic, the contribution of workers to the development of the State could not be undermined.
She prayed for all emergency and health workers on the frontline, stressing that the ravaging virus had affected many workers in all spheres.
She praised the Governor for the increment of hazards allowance from 5,000 to 25,000 for health workers, saying the gesture would truly serve as motivation for the frontline workers.
Her Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Gbenga Ekundayo, hailed the Governor for upward review of salaries and allowances for workers.
