THE Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL) on the occasion of the May Day Celebration, 2017, wishes to draw the attention of levels of unaccountable governments across Nigeria, those that have deplorably refused to abide by the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Principles of the United Nations, that underlie the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, of the following fundamental human rights requirements as they relate to the Right to Work of Nigerian Citizens:
1. The Preamble of the Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in part recognizes that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his economic, social and cultural rights, as well as his civil and political rights..
2. Article 6: The States Parties to the present Covenant recognizes the right to work, which includes the right of everyone to the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely choses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.
3. Article 7: The States Parties to the present Covenant recognizes the right of everyone to the enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work which ensure, in particular:
(a) Remuneration which provides all workers, as a minimum, with:
(i) Fair wages and equal value without distinction of any kind, in particular women being guaranteed conditions of work not inferior to those enjoyed by men, with pay for equal work;
(ii) A decent living for themselves and their families in accordance with the provisions of the present Covenant;
(b) Safe and healthy working conditions;
(c) Equal opportunity for everyone to the be promoted in his employment to an appropriate higher level, subject to no considerations other than those of seniority and competence;
(d) Rest, leisure and reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay, as well as remuneration for public holidays.
3. Article 8: The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure:
(a) The right of everyone to form trade unions and join the trade union of his choice, subject only to the rules of the organization concerned, for the promotion and protection of his economic and social interests. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public order for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
(b) The right of trade unions to establish national federations or confederations and the right of the latter to form or join international trade union organisations;
(c) The right of trade unions to function freely subject to no limitations other than those prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public order or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others;
(d) The right to strike, provided that it is exercised in conformity with the laws of the particular country.
IHRHL notes that those governors and local government chairmen in Nigeria, who have refused to pay regular salaries to their workers, inspite of series of bailout assistance received from the federal government, their monthly allocations, internally generated revenues and in so many cases huge bank loans, represent everything that serves to perpetuate slavery, therefore a grave sin.
IHRHL notes that governors whose judgment are blinded by absolute corruption, continue to forget their responsibilities to their citizens , pass lightly over these wrongs done them are slaveholder drivers, and their action most scandalous and shocking.
IHRHL notes that these men can best be referred to as brutes, who have robbed poor people of their liberty, work them without wages, forced their children into trafficking and prostitution, starved workers and made education of their children impossible, by creating a system marked with blood and stained with pollution which can no longer be tolerated.
IHRHL notes that what is needed most urgently is not light but fire; not the gentle shower, but thunder to awaken these governors. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation startled ; the hypocrisy of the nation exposed; and these crimes against the workers utterly denounced.
IHRHL notes that the shouts of liberty and equality noticed at various public spaces in the name of celebration of Worker’s Day, by governors are hollow mockery; bearing in mind the gross injustice and cruelty to which they are constant victims. For the revolting barbarity which bad governance, absolute corruption and shameless hypocrisy represents, our bad governors reigns without a rival.
IHRHL particularly calls on the State governments that has failed calamitously to meet the payments of their due wages as at when due, meritorious promotions, pension payments, effective working conditions, including health and shelter; to take seriously matters bothering on credible democratic electoral practices, good governance in order to effectively respond to the fundamental human rights requirements in the interest of the working populations of Nigeria.
IHRHL reminds political leaders and state governors that has frittered away their state revenue allocations, internally generated revenues, and incredible levels of bank loans, without commensurate investment in the development of their human and physical infrastructures; that the tranquility of the nation is menaced as never before in our history. That unless the political landscape is drastically altered, the men and women of power without responsibility will remain most dangerous to growth, exploiters who bring nothing but grief to workers of the republic.
IHRHL finally calls on the forces of social change as represented by credible trade union movements and institutionalized civil society organizations, to align in a united manner and force peaceful change, against an all consuming political wolves at every level of bad governance, to assure the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of citizens.
Signed:
Anyakwee Nsirimovu
Executive Director