Workers Day: NUJ FCT salutes members

By Mashe Umar Gwamna

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has congratulated members on this year’s Workers’ Day slated for May 1, urging them to uphold the ethics of the profession by insisting on objectivity.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by Secretary of Council, Ochiaka Ugwu, it quoted the Council Chairman, Comrade Emmnauel Ogbeche tasking members to always hold tenaciously to the ethics of the profession by insisting on objectivity.
Ogbeche also informed colleagues that NUJ FCT will not be observing this year’s Workers’ Day celebration slated for Tomorrow Thursday, May 1, 2019 due to paucity of funds.
According to Ogbeche, “As we wish our colleagues all the best as this day is marked, Council reiterate the call for journalists’ employment and social rights to be respected and improved on, especially at this time of economic downturn”.
While pledging Council’s total commitment to improving working conditions and social protection for journalists, Ogbeche said, ‘It is also particularly important that government at all levels do not allow employers to use the economic crisis as an excuse to dismiss vulnerable employees or cut back on crucial benefits”.
“We believe that Labour legislation must be strengthened as it has too many loopholes which too often lead to personal interests being put before workers’ rights.
‘Another crucial issue for us is the continuing nonpayment of salaries by private media owners which the National Body is working hard to correct”.
Ogbeche informed that it is important that much more is done to protect our colleagues who are engaged in precarious work condition without commiserate pay and adequate protection.
He called on the government to quickly implement the new N30, 000 minimum wage as this will go a long way in improving the welfare of workers and boost their morale.
He however, revealed the plan of council to celebrate the Press Freedom Day slated for May 2 which will be in partnership with UNESCO urging colleagues to observe it as important issues affecting journalism profession and journalists will be discussed.