The Nigeria Labour Congress [NLC] in Anambra State has appealed to Governor Willie Obiano to fully implement the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustment as agreed with labour as soon as the COVID-19 is over.

It also asked the governor to resolve all outstanding labour issues in the same vein.

The state chairman of the NLC, Comrade Jerry Nnubia, stated this in his May Day message on Friday in Awka, the state capital.

He said,

“It is the demand and expectation of the congress that the agreement on the implementation of the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustment as agreed between organised labour and the state government on 24th January 2020 will be implemented fully as soon as COVID-19 crisis is over

“Congress also demands that all outstanding labour issues be resolved in the same vein.

While applauding the efforts of the state government in containing and curbing the spread of coronavirus in the state, the NLC asked employers of labour to provide adequate protection to their workers.

Nnubia lamented that some workers, especially health personnel had contracted the disease in line of duty and died in the process.

He described as apt this year’s workers’ day theme: ” COVID-19 pandemic and its socioeconomic impact on Nigerian working class”.

“This theme is apt coming at a time the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the working class, especially the frontline workers-health care providers, who risk their lives in other to rescue the lives of others.

“In some cases, many of them contracted the disease in the line of duty and died in the process.

“May we commend and appreciate the uncommon love, courage and sacrifice of those frontline workers in the fight against the highly infectious and deadly virus disease.

“Employers of labour should provide sufficient Personal Protection Equipment, hand sanitizers, functional washrooms, suitable restrooms and other facilities to make the risk of health workers less Herculean”