By Our Reporter
Following an emergency meeting, on Monday, of the of the National Executive Council, NEC, of Organised Labour, comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in reaction to the issues affecting Nigerian workers, the labour unions have given the federal government until May 31, 2024, to implement a new national minimum wage and reverse the hike in electricity tariff. emergency meeting of the National Executive Councils (NEC) of the NLC and TUC in response to the pressing national issues affecting Nigerian workers.
The Labour Unions have, among other infractions condemned some state governmenst for not complying with the 2019 national Minimum Wage Act.
Consequently, the Organised Labour has directed its members in Anambra State to brace itself for an industrial action should the state government fail to implement the demands of the workers by May 23, 2024.
In a statement jointly signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC leader Festus Osifo, the labour unions stated:
“The NEC acknowledges the ongoing negotiations between the NLC/TUC, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and the federal government regarding the new national minimum wage. While appreciating the efforts made thus far, the NEC emphasizes the urgency of reaching a fair and equitable agreement that reflects the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of government’s policies.
“The NEC affirms its commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process. The NEC-in-session therefore reiterates the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC to the federal government, which expires on the last day of this month.
“It emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the demands put forth by Nigerian workers and urges the government to prioritize the resolution of these issues in the best interest of industrial peace.
“NEC-in-session further directed all state Councils whose state Governments are yet to fully implement the N30,000 (Thirty-thousand Naira) National Minimum Wage and its consequential adjustments to issue immediately a joint two-week ultimatum to the culpable state Governments to avert industrial action.
“Consequently, the NEC-in-session accordingly reaffirms the NLC and TUC joint ultimatum earlier issued the Anambra state government by its Anambra state councils. It therefore directed all affiliates and workers in the state council to mobilize their members to ensure a successful action in the event the state government fails to meet the demands of workers by Thursday, the 23rd of May, 2024,” the unions so resolved.
Recall that at the meeting between the federal government and the Organised Labour on April 14, 2024, Labour had proposed a new minimum wage of N615,000 for workers in view of the current economic hardship prevalent in the country, and to enable them cope with the ever rising cost of living.
According to Labour, the current N30,000 minimum wage was no longer eough to sustain the average Nigerian worker and his family, adding thatthe Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act should be reviewed every five years to meet up with contemporary economic demands of workers.
Failing to reach an agreement at the meeting the Organised Labour had walked out as a sign of their displeasure.
On April 14, the Organised Labour demanded N615,000 as the new minimum wage for workers to cope with the many economic realities and high cost of living in Nigeria.
NLC and the TUC have at various times called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to hasten the upward review of wage awards.
The Federal Government had in January inaugurated a 37-man Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage with a mandate to recommend a new National Minimum Wage for the country.
With reports from Channels Television