THE Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC) says any Governor saying that he is unable to pay the new minimum wage being negotiated for workers is unpatriotic and, an enemy of Nigerian workers and masses.
“We shall vote them out in 2019,” the unions said in a statement jointly signed on Sunday.
The labour bodies added that they would be left with no option than to call their members across the country to once again commence an indefinite strike the Federal Government failed to act responsibly on its demand for new Minimum Wage for workers.
“If nothing is responsibly done by the federal government to meet our demands, on Monday, the 6th day of November, we shall embark on a nation-wide strike to compel this government to show more sensitivity to the plight of Nigerians and the suffering that is decimating our people on daily basis,” the labour bodies said in the press release signed by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama and ULC President, Joe Ajaero.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige recently said that the Federal Government had not agreed to pay N30,000 as the new minimum wage to workers, noting that the government can actually pay N24,000.
While reacting to the Minister’s statement, the labour bodies said it was not true that they proposed N30, 000 as the new national minimum wage.
“It is also not true that the committee did not agree on a figure during its last sitting. We accepted N30, 000 as a compromise to demonstrate the willingness of Nigerian workers to make sacrifices towards nation building. Anything to the contrary no matter the quantum and character of the din or how well couched it may appear cannot be true,” they said
We the organized labour in Nigeria having not seen any sign that this government is willing to demonstrate honour and integrity in relating with Nigerian workers and masses have resolved to as follows:
They warned that they would organise a day of National Outrage and mourning which will be used to sensitize Nigerians on workers’ plight and on the issues at stake.
“This shall take place in all states of the federation including Abuja on Tuesday, the 30th day of October, 2018.”
“On Friday, the 2nd day of November, 2018, a Joint Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of all the Labour Centres in Nigeria shall hold to receive reports and make final preparations for our ultimate engagement with the federal government on this matter.
“This is the first time in the history of this nation in recent times that such meeting will take place and this goes a long way to show the seriousness with which Nigerian workers and its leadership hold this matter.”
