On the May Day protest

It was not surprising that there were protests across the country on Monday, May 1. Most of them were by workers who were protesting over poor welfare. It is disheartening to note that many workers are being owed salaries. How do state governors expect workers to remain committed to their duties when they have not been paid their salaries? In some states, the May Day celebration was cancelled over the non-payment of salaries. The condition of workers is so bad that governors who pay salaries now see themselves as champions, as if they are doing workers a favour. Every worker deserves his/ her wages.

I am aware of the fact that the country is in recession; but what happened to the bail-out and Paris Club refund governors received? The payment of salaries should be a priority for every serious government. If not how do they expect workers to give their all in the development of their respective states?

We keep talking about increase in crime rate, but how do we eradicate crime if workers are not paid? The non-payment of salaries has a multiplier effect as parents are not able to fend for their kids, thereby exposing them to crime. Our family values are being eroded due to poverty. Some parents are now forced to look the other way when their kids commit certain crimes.

How will a father who cannot cater for his daughter who is in a tertiary institution, monitor her and ensure that she is well behaved? The government must understand the danger non-payment of salary poses to the nation. It is a serious issue and we must treat it as such. Salaries should be paid at the end of every month. In states where there are reports of ghost workers, the authourities should embark on a verification exercise to weed out the fake staff and embark on payment of the authentic workers. Some states have been having unending screenings, thereby putting the workers under undue stress.

The governments should complete the process and pay the staff. Workers cannot continue to work without pay.