Workers Day: Nigerian workers and shady future amidst Covid-19 – Gabriel Chy Alonta

The unseen enemy, coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) or simply COVID-19, no doubt, took the world by surprise such that even the mightiest nations are yet to develop a known cure for the deadly disease.

On our part in Nigeria, the federal and state governments have adapted/adopted some preventive measures to stem the spread of disease now known to have hit the country. However, some of those measures have been largely criticised by experts and Nigerians for not meeting the realities on ground within the country.

This shortcoming obviously implies that Nigerian workers are also passing through untold hardship, caused by the ineffective health system and the abjectness of social welfare for workers, nay the citizenry. The leaders and government operatives, rather, project an image, largely deemed false, of grappling with the pandemic. Such efforts are seen by an unimpressed populace as a cover-up for irresponsibility and no-vision policies.

For instance, how many workers have benefitted from the palliatives and other social interventions that government claims to be distributing to Nigerians to cushion the effect of the COVID-19? Your guess is as good as mine.

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate Worker’s Day, there is the need to pay attention to these questions: Has the government done enough for Nigerian workers? What is the hope of workers amidst this pandemic? How can the government ensure they support private organisations so they don’t lay off staff due to the unprecedented financial crisis during this period? What incentives do the governments have for health workers and other essential workers lined up at the front lines to curb the spread of coronavirus?

Why do you work?

To some people, they work in order to make a living; some say they work to make money; still some others posit that work gives them recognition and self respect. Further enquiry into the motive for people to work revealed that some people see work as a means of survival while, for some others, it is natural just to work.

Most people erroneously see work as punishment and a burden. It is pertinent to state that, in the beginning, God fashioned man in His image and likeness and called him to “cultivate and care for “the land that was given to him (Gen. 2:15). Therefore, work was part of human life before the fall, and should not be seen as a curse or punishment, especially now that Christ has redeemed us.

Also, Jesus Christ, in the gospel of John 5:17 says, “My Father is always working, and I too must work”, thus, signifying the import of work. There is dignity in labour, no matter where we ply our trades. Its dignity is not based on what is done or made but because it is done by man and for the good of man.

Are you aware that when you work, you participate in the ongoing work of creation as collaborators with God?

According to the Daily Strength Devotional (DSD), when we work, we become who we were created to be; We honour God through our use of the gifts and talents He gave us; Through work, we provide support for ourselves and our family and we build up the human community.

To fellow employees, whether in private or public sector, do you work to showcase yourself or do you think that when you work, you are doing your employer a great deal of favour? ‘Oolo.’ When you work, you are carrying out the instruction passed down to us by our Creator, God. Be properly guided.

To our employers both public and private business owners, how do you treat your employees? Do you deny them their wages? Do you pay just wages or do you close your eyes to the unjust discrimination pervading the work place? Do you still bear in mind the dignity of labour?

At this unpalatable moment of our history, I felicitate with mixed feelings, workers already affected or those the COVID-19 pandemic will render jobless. I also hail those workers at the forefront of the fight against the unseen enemy. My sincere prayers and thoughts are with those who are ready to work but are yet to find one. God will remember you sooner than you expect.

Finally, I thank God for the gift of work and the ability to work. My profound gratitude still goes to Mrs. Nneka Ezeemo (aka Adadioramma N’Umuchu) & Dr. Edward Ezenwafor (Jnr.), for giving me the first opportunity to work.