Governor Siminalayi Fubara has pledged improved welfare for workers in Rivers State, acknowledging the strain of the current economic climate on the workforce.

The assurance was given on Friday during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at Isaac Boro Park, organised by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Represented by his deputy, Ngozi Odu, the governor praised workers for their resilience and commitment, describing them as central to the state’s development and national growth.

He said the annual May 1 observance serves not only as a reminder of the historic struggle for workers’ rights but also as a moment to honour the indispensable role of labour in nation-building.

Fubara acknowledged the pressure of rising living costs on workers and reiterated his administration’s resolve to ease the burden through targeted interventions.

He highlighted an ongoing partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to provide soft loans at five per cent interest to small and medium-scale enterprises, aimed at stimulating economic activity, generating employment, and supporting livelihoods.

“Workers remain the backbone of sustainable development. No society can thrive without their contributions,” he said, noting their impact across key sectors including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the broader economy.

The governor also assured that issues raised by organised labour would receive due attention, stressing his administration’s commitment to meeting workers’ expectations.

Earlier, Rivers State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, urged the government to tackle rising poverty and insecurity, which he described as major impediments to decent work and socio-economic stability.

He, however, commended the state government for implementing the N85,000 minimum wage, reviving the Rivers State Transport Company, and paying N100,000 end-of-year bonuses to workers.

Agwanwor also called for increased recruitment in the healthcare sector and improved welfare conditions for nurses.

In a separate interview, the state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, Comrade Samuel Ogan, pressed for an upward review of the minimum wage.

According to him, the current N85,000 wage has been significantly eroded by inflation and can no longer meet the needs of workers, urging sustained dialogue between labour and government to arrive at a realistic and sustainable living wage.