By OYEBOLA OWOLABI

Lagos Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu has handed over documents for five hectares of land in Idera and Badagry to labour unions to be used as a housing scheme for workers.

Sanwo-Olu gave the gift at the 2021 Worker’s Day parade at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium Arena, Onikan.

The theme of the celebration was ‘COVID-19 pandemic, social and economic crises: Challenges for decent jobs, social protection and peoples welfare’.

The governor said the state would continue to prioritise workers’ welfare and promised to give official vehicles to the chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Gbenga Ekundayo and of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Funmilayo Sesi.

He also promised that a befitting headquarters for the unions would be ready in 12 months.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who reiterated that no worker was retrenched during the pandemic, said his administration would work with stakeholders to ensure the judiciary is granted full autonomy, and also address Gender-Based Violence (GBD).

He promised that the state would continue to celebrate health workers, and remains committed to the COVID-19 vaccination.

The Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, who praised the workers for their support, said the government has release buses for its staff and provided land for housing schemes in various part of the state.

Ekundayo thanked Sanwo-Olu for always prioritising workers’ welfare, investing in roads, and encouraging other employers of labour to retain their workers during the pandemic. He urged the government to continue to support the private sector so the economy can grow.

He also called on the state to continue to embark on training and retraining of workers, provide housing schemes, improve security, recruit law enforcement officers in the Ministry of Environment, constitute relevant boards where labour would be represented.

Sesi thanked the government for being proactive and showing leadership in the management of COVID-19 and urged it to employ more nurses and midwives, and ensure a better package for pensioners.

According to her, Worker’s Day is to remember those who laid down their lives and celebrate those still living.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also opened the Solidarity House of the Permanent Secretariat of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (Lagos State Branch).

Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagosians expected quality service delivery from workers, and promised that the government would give the association N10 million to equip the edifice. (The Nation)

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