Activists urge informal workers to strive for better livelihood

Human right activists have advised workers in the informal sector to shun bribes from politicians but focus on pursuing their rights to quality life.

The activists spoke at a one-day sensitisation workshop organised by the Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON) for its members in Lagos.

The theme of the workshop was “social protection as a human rights antidote to poverty proliferation.”

Informal workers operate largely in unregulated environment and with low capital. They are major victims of arbitrary tax regime and harassment from law enforcement agencies.

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Maurice Fangnon, a professor and secretary general, Centre for the Defence of Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CDHRDA) who addressed the workers, encouraged them to insist on their rights.

”Say no to corruption; no to riding the people with poverty; if you elect a political leaders and the person is not doing well you have the right to say no,” Fangnon said.

Chude Achike, a human rights activist also advised the workers to reject money from politicians to vote, rather they should vote for leaders who could make positive change in the economy.

Achike said that there was the need to build FIWON to make contributions to national development policies if its members must benefit from democratic dividend.

”If you build a strong FIWON it will enable you determine political leaders that will be able to tackle human rights challenges,” he said.

The general secretary of FIWON, Gbenga Komolafe also said that the workers would be able to get a social protection right if they are united and speak in one voice.

Komolafe said that workers in the informal sector was suffering from some anti-government policies in the state and would be able to achieve result in their problem if they unite.

”The rights of informal workers are continually trampled upon. They are also excluded from social protection against human vulnerability such as access to health care services and protection against work related risk,” he said.