30th April, 2015
As Nigerian workers join the rest of their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s May Day, telecoms super power, Globacom, has sent a congratulatory message describing them as one of the most resilient, committed and hardworking crop in the world.
Globacom in a press release to commemorate the 2015 International Labour Day, also known as May Day, eulogised the workers for their patriotism, industry and doggedness in the face of a challenging operating environment, adding that they are pivotal to the sustenance of the Nigerian economy.
According to the press release, “the progress that Nigeria has made in different sectors over the years is mainly attributable to the contributions of the country’s workers,” adding that “this same hardworking, flexible, and dependable work force rose up to the occasion and helped build the vibrant telecommunications sector that we have today.”
The company admonished them to remain dedicated to duty and redouble their efforts at achieving excellence in the work place and exhorted labour unions to continue to contribute towards building a strong work culture that will engender great Nigerian industries which will produce world-class products and services.
The first day in the month of May is commemorated annually as International Labour Day which brings to memory a time of civil unrest in the late 19th century when workers in industrialised countries protested against poor working conditions and called for wage increase and the establishment of a maximum working day and week.
Most of the demonstrations were, however, suppressed by the powers that be of the era.
Prior to that period, the May Day rallies demanded the introduction of the eight-hour working day. However, even after this goal was reached, May Day was not given up as it became the yearly expression of the various and evolving demands of workers in different countries.