Organised Labour comprising of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has agreed to continue negotiations with the tripartite committee on minimum wage today, Tuesday, May 21.
Recall that the Unionists had walked out of their last meeting with the government’s side of the negotiating team, which offered N48,000 as new minimum wage, against the N615 offered by labour.
However, labour has insisted it would not shift ground on the May 31st deadline on mobilising workers and the masses to cripple economic activities nationwide, given to the federal government to meet its demands which it also insisted were non-negotiable, given the hardship Nigerians were currently passing through.
In a communique jointly issued by both unions and signed by their Presidents, Comrade Joe Ajaero and Comrade Festus Osifo on Monday in Abuja after their National Executive Council (NEC) meetings, it was unanimously agreed that government must prioritise the welfare of the citizens who elected them into office, by reversing the electricity tariff hike and also agree to a minimum wage that reflects the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to national development.
The communique partly reads: “The NEC once again vehemently condemns the unilateral increase in electricity tariff by the authorities. This action, taken without due consideration for the economic hardships faced by the masses and the provisions of the Law, is deemed unjust and burdensome.
“The NEC reaffirms its demands for an immediate reversal of the tariff hike and the vexatious apartheid categorization into Bands to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and citizens and gives the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government until the last day of May, 2024 to meet these demands.
“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.”
On the ultimatum served the government of Anambra State by the state chapter of both unions, the NEC 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.
“In the event that the government fails to meet the demands outlined within the stipulated timeframe, the NEC authorizes the leadership of the NLC and TUC to take appropriate actions, including but not limited to the mobilization of workers for peaceful protests and industrial actions, to press home these demands for social justice and workers’ rights.
“NEC therefore calls on all affiliate unions, and workers including Civil Society Organisations across Nigeria to remain united and steadfast in solidarity during this critical period. Together, we shall prevail in our pursuit of a fair and just society that guarantees the dignity and well-being of all its citizens.
“The NECs – in – session finally affirms its unwavering commitment to championing the cause of Nigerian workers and ensuring that their rights and interests are upheld at all times.”
