Covid19: FG Allays Fears Of Job Losses On May Day

The Federal Government says it will ensure that there are no job losses arising from the ravages of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the economy.
The Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, said this on Thursday in his May Day message released by his media aide, Mr Emmanuel Nzomiwu.
Ngige said that the Federal Government would look at the four-pillar plan of policy responses to the pandemic laid out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
According to him, all relevant factors to the nation’s workforce would be identified, analysed and solidified to ensure job retention and continued realisation of decent work agenda.
He commended workers in the health sector for being in the frontline of ensuring that the raging pandemic was contained.
“Over the years, May 1 has been a unique day in the world of work. It is a day dedicated to workers as partners in socio – economic development of nations,” Ngige said.
The minister however, said that the 2020 May Day celebration was different “because we are all taking refuge in our respective homes, staying off the streets in a bid to stay alive and beat an invisible enemy.
“The covid-19 outbreak has affected modes of work and the utilisation of teleworking is on the increase.
“As you work from home, I urge you to do your best in that regard and to endeavour to demarcate your personal life from work,” he said.
Ngige said that the Federal Government was not unmindful of the fact that businesses in both the private and public sectors had suffered.
He however urged workers to imbibe the ILO laid out workers’ response options to COVID-19 which include efficient social dialogue at all levels.
Others are mobilisation and allocation of human and financial resources without exacerbating the national debt crisis and promotion of solidarity and non-discrimination/stigmatisation of workers and sick persons among others.