The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has warned that Nigerian workers are facing worsening economic hardship, calling for urgent reforms to the country’s welfare and labour protection systems.
In a statement released on May 1 to mark Workers’ Day, CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the current condition of workers reflects deep-rooted structural problems that successive governments have failed to adequately address.
He noted that despite being central to public service delivery, national security, and economic productivity, many workers are increasingly struggling under the weight of inflation, stagnant wages, and weak social safety nets.
According to him, this year’s Workers’ Day comes at a time when millions of Nigerians are battling rising living costs and economic policies that have widened inequality.
“The celebration comes at a time when millions of Nigerians are facing worsening economic hardship, rising living costs, and policies that have deepened inequality,” he said.
Rafsanjani added that many employed Nigerians can no longer comfortably meet basic needs, despite being in full-time work.
CISLAC expressed concern that Nigeria’s welfare system remains too weak to protect workers from economic shocks such as fuel price increases, inflation, and rising costs of housing and transportation.
The organisation compared Nigeria’s situation with countries that have stronger social protection systems, where workers benefit from unemployment support, healthcare coverage, and retirement security.
It argued that the absence of such safety nets in Nigeria continues to expose workers to unnecessary hardship and financial instability.
CISLAC also criticised what it described as inconsistent policy decisions and short-term economic planning, warning that repeated failure to implement lasting reforms has deepened poverty among working-class citizens.
It stressed that without a deliberate restructuring of welfare systems, the gap between income and cost of living will continue to grow, further reducing the purchasing power of workers.
Despite its concerns, the organisation commended Nigerian workers for their resilience, including civil servants, private sector employees, security personnel, and others who continue to keep the country running under difficult conditions.
It also paid tribute to members of the armed forces and paramilitary agencies for their sacrifices in maintaining national security.
However, CISLAC insisted that appreciation alone is not enough, stressing the need for concrete improvements in welfare policies.
The organisation called on all levels of government to urgently implement reforms that would improve salary payments, ensure regular promotions, strengthen labour institutions, and invest more in skills development and training.
It also urged workers to uphold discipline and professionalism, calling attention to issues such as absenteeism, inefficiency, and ghost workers, which it said continue to undermine productivity.
CISLAC concluded by warning that without urgent and coordinated reforms, the hardship facing Nigerian workers could worsen further, with serious consequences for national productivity and social stability.
