Archbishop Josef Bassey, the Spiritual Leader of God’s Heritage Global Mission in Calabar, has issued a passionate call for urgent labour reforms, warning that the soul of the Nigerian nation is at risk without immediate intervention to address the plight of workers.

In a stirring Workers’ Day message, Archbishop Bassey paid tribute to the resilience of Nigerian workers, describing them as the “silent strength and survival system of the nation.”

Despite enduring what he called “crippling economic hardship and near-impossible living conditions,” the Archbishop praised the workforce for remaining committed to national productivity and progress.

“In a nation where inflation has broken the back of the average worker’s income, and the dignity of labour is hanging by a thread, Nigerian workers still rise daily, give their best, and hold this country together. This is not ordinary—it is heroic,” he said.

Archbishop Bassey lamented the harsh economic realities confronting the Nigerian labour force, noting that many can no longer survive, let alone thrive, on their earnings. He urged government officials, lawmakers, and employers to take swift action to reform the country’s labour structure and prioritise workers’ welfare.

“There must be a moral and national awakening. A system where those who build the nation cannot feed their homes is unsustainable, unjust, and dangerous,” he warned.

While calling on workers to remain hopeful and committed, the Archbishop expressed confidence in a brighter future, affirming that “true labour never goes unrewarded—by God or by history.”

He concluded the address with prayers for strength, renewal, and divine favour for every Nigerian worker, declaring that the time for structural change is now.