Challenges of Nigerian Workers in the Current Economic Crisis
Nigerian workers are facing extraordinary challenges in this period of devastating economic crisis. Dr Tommy Okon of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has highlighted just a few of the miseries faced by millions of “employed” workers. Difficult commutes to work, overcrowded offices, common power outages and difficulties in paying salaries are the realities that many Nigerians face at their workplaces.
The relationship between employers and employees in Nigeria today is more like a 17th century arrangement between slaves and slave masters. Workers, at all levels of many organisations, now constitute the largest group of unwitting philanthropists in the world. Many workers find themselves in situations where they are neither treated properly nor paid regularly, making them victims of severe exploitation.
There was a time when I was actively helping job seekers, offering them CV writing assistance, interview counselling and following up with the companies they were applying to. However, these initiatives had to come to an abrupt end in 2021, amidst widespread cases of non-payment of wages and mistreatment of workers.
A growing number of Nigerian workers are now falling into the category of ‘working poor’, not because of mistreatment or non-payment of wages, but because they are not paid enough to meet their basic needs. This has become increasingly worrying, with workers like James having to make difficult choices to continue working despite high transport costs.
The challenges faced by workers like James are manifold: ever-increasing transport costs, challenges related to changes in economic policy and wages that are not enough to cover daily expenses. These workers find themselves trapped in a spiral of poverty, unable to meet their basic needs despite their efforts to remain employed and productive.
In conclusion, the situation of Nigerian workers is alarming and requires urgent action by the authorities and employers to ensure decent working conditions and fair wages. It is imperative to support these vulnerable workers and promote a more equitable and inclusive work environment for all.