Nseobong Okon-Ekong extracts feedback on the theme of this 12 months’s Worldwide Employees’ Day celebration, notably from the incoming management of the Nationwide Union of Gaming and Lottery Employees (NUGLOW) led by Comrade David Omaghomi
In commemoration of this 12 months’s Worldwide Employees’ Day celebration on the First Day of Might, organized labour held solidarity rallies and different actions throughout the nation to attract consideration to the welfare of staff. All stakeholders centred their engagement on the theme for this 12 months’s celebration, ‘Individuals First’.
President Bola Tinubu assured the organised labour that their understanding, persistence, dedication and assist in the midst of implementing his administration’s insurance policies and programmes are usually not taken with no consideration.
He applauded the Nigerian staff for his or her contributions to ongoing efforts by the federal government to save lots of the nation’s financial system, describing them as “an indispensable part of the nation’s engine,” within the bid to construct a simply and progressive society.
Talking via Vice-President Kashim Shettima who represented him on the occasion on the Eagle Sq., Abuja, Tinubu counseled the selection of the theme for this 12 months’s Might Day celebration, ‘Individuals First’, saying it didn’t solely resonate along with his administration’s agenda, but additionally demonstrates that “the working class holds a central place within the affairs of this nation.” The president’s handle was titled, ‘Solidarity in Motion: Collaborative Governance, Empowered Employees’.
Noting that it was the primary Might Day below Tinubu, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, identified that the president “believes that each employee deserves to work in an surroundings free from exploitation, discrimination, and oppression,” noting that the federal government is “creating workplaces that provide respect, job safety and inclusivity for all.”
NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, stated, “Management is in regards to the individuals. There isn’t any different measure for fulfillment in authorities besides its influence on the lives of the individuals.”
They urged the federal government to swiftly conclude negotiations on a nationwide minimal wage that displays financial realities for Nigerian staff.
“Individuals must be on the coronary heart of each coverage. With out making them. the centre of each authorities coverage, the society suffers adversely,” Ajaero stated.
Incoming President of the Nationwide Union of Gaming and Lottery Employees (NUGLOW), Comrade David Omaghomi, stated the theme of this 12 months’s Employees Day celebration resonates nicely with staff within the gaming trade in Nigeria. The gaming ecosystem which contributes in no small measure to good causes and the GDP of the nation is powered by individuals, whatever the know-how, it’s individuals who administer tickets. It’s staff who guarantee casinos are open. It’s individuals who work as operators, as regulators, who do monitor to make sure the gaming ecosystem is sanitized. It’s individuals who play the video games. No matter each different side of the trade, it’s folks that matter most. This 12 months’s theme resonates aptly because the individuals within the gaming trade matter most.
Omaghomi stated, “For the reason that final Might Day, we now have recorded very outstanding progress in our relationship with operators and regulators. Now we have additionally been capable of attend two stakeholder dialogue classes; one organised by the Nationwide Lottery Regulatory Fee (NLRC), in addition to the Africa Gaming Expo Lagos, which was organised by the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority. Each occasions gave us room to fulfill with different stakeholders and promote the values of the gaming and lottery staff union to the employees within the trade. We acquired a number of new members into our fold.
Omaghomi added, “We imagine that with such progress, as we quickly announce the date for our nationwide delegates convention, which is supposed to elect new leaders into the union, this engagement will assist us see participation from extra operators and extra regulators throughout the nation. This has been considered one of our worthy achievements and it led to the next turnout in the course of the Might Day rally of this 12 months in Abuja, Lagos, Delta and Edo states, we had members of the Nationwide Union of Gaming and Lottery Employees of their numbers.”
Taking a peep into the longer term, the management of NUGLOW foresees enchancment within the situation of staff within the days forward.
“The extent of sensitivity to the sunshine of staff within the gaming trade has elevated. There may be higher understanding now by the regulators and the operators alike that the union shouldn’t be there to antagonize anybody, however somewhat to guard the ecosystem, to guard companies, to assist in managing the bottom however most necessary layer of the ecosystem, which is the employees, with improved working circumstances. There may be additionally the drive for a brand new minimal wage throughout the nation. It additionally signifies that the employees within the system will get higher outcomes and with a extra happy workforce, there are extra sustainable companies. Not only for the employees, I foresee enchancment within the gaming surroundings as a complete.”
For now, Omaghomi wouldn’t be persuaded to call operators which have been excellent of their welfare package deal for staff.
He stated, “We solely title them after our nationwide delegates convention, so we don’t pre-empt some regulators or operators to suppose we’re selling any explicit one. Nonetheless, there was an enchancment in welfare packages by most operators. I don’t wish to point out any explicit one. After our delegates convention, we’ll present this info.”
As soon as the NUGLOW management group is correctly inaugurated, it’s set to go full blast with plans to guard the job and contracts, whereas instituting micro pension schemes, medical health insurance; giving staff trade safety from harassment by safety brokers or touts, in addition to prevention in opposition to double taxation. Certainly one of Omaghomi’s lofty desires is the gaming staff’ institute.
“As soon as we get the required accreditation and regulatory assist, we will likely be introducing it to make sure that staff are actually capable of undertake programmes that may higher place them to supply glorious service supply no matter the place they belong,” he defined. “We’re additionally partaking with labour centres owned by authorities. It signifies that the minimal wage that operators and/or sub-agents will give to their staff can even enhance.”
Omaghomi counseled the contribution of GAMING WEEK, the media platform for collating information, occasions and options on the trade.
He stated, “We wish you to repeatedly shine the sunshine on the existence of staff within the trade and their crucial position to its growth. We will likely be sharing particulars of the forthcoming nationwide delegates convention for wider visibility, in order that extra operators and regulators can ship of their delegates to come back ahead and take elective positions; be a part of the incoming management of the union and likewise take part as we work collectively to develop the ecosystem.
“The media is essential as a result of they attain out to the grassroots; stakers, brokers and all classes of people that have interaction with the trade. The media is necessary additionally in making certain there’s a paradigm shift within the minds of individuals in order to reverse the pattern the place individuals see lottery or betting as societal in poor health somewhat than seeing it from the constructive gentle of its contribution to nation constructing via good causes and taxes. Lastly, it’s necessary that the media make individuals perceive that gaming is the hope of everybody and I often say with out gaming, Nigeria would have gone up in flames as a result of video games give hope and hope provides life.”
