The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called on governments at all levels to recognise COVID-19 (Coronavirus) as a workplace disease, notifiable and compensable occupational hazard.
Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a ceremony to mark the 2021 international Workers Memorial Day.
This year’s ceremony has the theme: “Save Lives at Work!’’
Wabba said it was significant coming at the epoch of the global fight against the virus.
According to him,”The contribution of frontline workers, especially healthcare workers, is a formidable buffer between deaths in thousands and deaths in millions.
“Everyday, our healthcare workers courageously dare the stare of death in selfless service to rescue the lives of others.
“The listing of occupational health and safety as a fundamental right at work and the recognition of COVID-19 as a workplace disease and as a notifiable and compensable occupational hazard is important.
“Demand for compensation of COVID-19 victims in the workplace; adequate and Quality Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) for workers at the workplace.”
While labour expects actions on these demands, Wabba assured workers of its commitment to protecting their safety and health at work every time.
Wabba said, “There is no better day to demonstrate our readiness to fight for the living than today.
“We’ll fight for the living by highlighting the preventable nature of most workplace incidents and ill-health, to promote campaigns and union organisation in the fight for improvements in occupational safety and health in our different workplaces.”
