By Akanimo Sampson
Foremost housing development advocacy group, Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has joined millions of well wishers around the world in celebrating the Nigerian workers on this year’s Workers Day.
Executive Director of the group, Festus Adebayo, in a goodwill message to Nigerian workers said labour has continued to shoulder the production process in the country in spite of the worsening conditions.
HDAN said it is a sad testimony that most of the federating states of Nigeria are still foot-dragging on the N30,000 minimum wage, pointing out that the reluctance to pay the agreed wage has contributed to the worsening conditions of workers.
While urging workers to insist on the full payment of the minimum wage, HDAN also called on labour to be pressing for affordable housing, saying affordable housing should be made a fundamental right of workers.
”With Nigeria’s housing deficit standing on 22 million based on a 2019 data, the worse victims of our national housing crisis are workers.
”As an organisation concerned with social housing development, we are open to partner with the organised labour to scale-up the struggle for housing development in Nigeria.”
Continuing, HDAN said despite the “terrifying” conditions in the country, the authorities do not seem to be addressing the concerns of labour sincerely.
Adebayo who is also the owner of Housing Development program on various televisions in Nigeria said HDAN is unhappy with the growing rate of inflation which he said is pushing more workers into poverty.
”From some of the startling reports available to us, some workers are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with rent due to changes in price”
”It is equally sad to note that the skyrocketing inflation is taking its heaviest toll on Nigerian workers.
On this May Day, HDAN salutes you all for pressing on in spite of the daunting social and economic conditions in Nigeria presently.”
