The organised labour has threatened a nationwide strike if
the government failed to begin process of reviewing the workers’ minimum wage.
On Thursday, the National Union of Textile Garment and
Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUT GTWN), an affiliate member of the Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC), in Kaduna warned that labour may shut down Nigeria.
NUTGTWN National President, Comrade John Adaji, and General Secretary, Comrade Issa Aremu called
on the Federal Government to urgently constitute a committee on the review of
the current national minimum wage.
They urged NLC and TUC to make urgent case for workers’
control of the country’s pension industry, saying pension fund was workers’
capital and should not be a play-ground to reward failed politicians.
“As demonstrated by workers during the May Day in Abuja, Nigeria risks national industrial crisis except governments at all levels give due attention to the critical issue of compensation of workers”, Aremu said.
Hungry workers are legitimately angry workers. Nigerian workers are not only hungry but legitimately angry.
“We commend both the Senate and the House of Representatives for their respective facilitating roles to address the current issue of national minimum wage”.
However, the responsibility lies squarely with President Muhammadu Buhari ably
being represented by Vice President Osinbajo.
“National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2011 which offers the current N18,000 was for a 5-year cycle due for review in 2015.”
The five-year time limit was to avoid minimum wage stagnation and attendant
seemingly increases that follow. In UK minimum wage is reviewed yearly. Today
it is £7.5 per hour, about N37,000 per day!
“Long before the current recession, Nigeria workers have long been in depression. With Naira devaluation and high inflation, 2010 negotiated national minimum wage of N18,000 which was about $120 in 2010 has fallen to below $50 in 2017 worsening income poverty.”
Nigeria cannot get out of recession with poorly paid work-force”, the labour
leader said.
Recall that Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Monday
stated that its demand for a new minimum wage remained intact.
President, Ayuba Wabba spoke at a meeting attended by
officials of the Federal Government and the leadership of the National Assembly
over new minimum wage and salary arrears owed workers.
“We have made a formal demand, which you are aware. It is N56,000, there is no need repeating it every time”, Wabba told newsmen.Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com