AS Nigerian workers join their counterparts across the globe to mark International Workers’ Day, the Federation of Informal Workers Organisations of Nigeria (FIWON) has called on the Federal Government to urgently implement comprehensive social protection programmes for the over 93 per cent of the country’s workforce operating in the informal economy.

In a statement signed by Bolaji Saadu and Gbenga Komolafe, President and General Secretary, respectively, FIWON said the celebration rings hollow for millions of working people in informal employment who continue to face staggering inequality, poverty, and structural exclusion from social protection schemes.

“Informal workers including traders, artisans, home workers, garment makers, construction workers, farmers and food processors, domestic workers, mechanics, transporters, waste pickers, and vendors make up over 93 per cent of Nigeria’s active workforce and contribute at least 65 per cent to the national GDP.
“Yet, these critical contributors to the nation’s economy remain largely excluded from social protection schemes such as pensions, healthcare, and workplace safety coverage while existing social protection schemes remain largely symbolic with ridiculously low coverage of those in desperate need of support.

“Yes, Workers’ Day is meant to celebrate the dignity of labour and the contributions of workers to national development. But what is there to celebrate when the majority of Nigerian workers cannot access basic healthcare, have no pension to look forward to, and receive no support when injured on the job?,” the statement read.

FIWON highlighted the fact that while a micro-pension scheme exists under the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), it has not yielded meaningful benefits for informal workers due to low contributions and inflation rapidly eroding whatever savings are made.

“We therefore reiterate our demand for a matching contribution system where government complements the pension savings of informal workers—a 50:50 co-contribution model similar to what obtains in the formal sector. This would make pension contributions more attractive and sustainable for low-income earners.

“Currently, an informal worker must save entirely from their meager, irregular income. With inflation at record highs, those savings become worthless before retirement. We demand that the government co-contribute to informal workers’ pensions. This is not a privilege; it is basic fairness.”

FIWON called on governments at all levels to take immediate action to address the plight of informal workers.

“The Federal Government has declared May 1 a public holiday and commended workers for their dedication. But workers do not need platitudes—they need action. They need social protection. They need dignity.

“This Workers’ Day, we call on the government to move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete measures that will improve the lives of the over 90% of Nigerian workers who keep this nation running. The time for tokenism is over. The time for real social protection is now!