The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) are set to embark on an indefinite see over N30,000 new minimum wage.due to the inability of the government to commence the process of implementing the N30,000 new minimum wage.
The Union came up with decision due to against the backdrop of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, rejection of the proposed new minimum wage of N30,000.
The organized labour conveyed its position in a New Year message by the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba.
The lengthy statement reads, “Government’s dilly-dallying on the issue has strained government-labour relations with a potential for a major national strike which could just be days away.
“Accordingly, we would use this opportunity to appeal to the government to do the needful by urgently transmitting the bill on the new national minimum wage to the National Assembly.
”We also would like to use this opportunity to urge workers to fully mobilize for a prolonged national strike and enforce their right.
“This strike becomes the inevitable last option for us and we crave the understanding and support of all Nigerians and businesses.
“We would want to assure workers that their labour, patience and diligence will not be in vain and that this leadership remains committed to giving all it takes to ensure that they get just and fair wages due to them in a decent work environment appropriate to their well-being.
“This leadership is similarly committed to ensuring there is social protection for workers.
“In the year that is ahead of us, the Nigeria Labour Congress remains unequivocally committed to national and workers’ goals.
“It saluted the contribution and sacrifice of the entire workforce, great men and women, saying:
“We use this occasion to reach out to all workers, pensioners and other citizens in Nigeria and elsewhere with the message of love, joy, hope and goodwill.
“This day is an opportunity for celebration and stock-taking. Pursuant to this, our reflections on the year 2018 are both positive and negative.
“Throughout 2018, the NLC completely invested in the struggle to protect workers interests, promote democratic values, advocate the rule of law and defend human cum trade union rights. We sustained our fight against anti-labour practices at the work place and insisted on the observance of the rules of decent work and fair wages.
“We kicked against the rising incidence of unemployment, especially, youth unemployment and the danger it portends. We canvassed the preservation of existing jobs and creation of new sustainable ones through alternative policy options with potential for expanding the economy.
“Aside from the regular commemoration of May Day, the year was remarkable and memorable for the observance and celebration of Congress’ 40th anniversary. Many of our affiliates were to follow suit.
“One of the major activities in the year was the renewed strengthening of our relationship with our civil society allies through regular collaboration and mutual engagement.
“Congress remained vigilant and responsive to national issues as they unfolded and frequently made its position known through press statements, comments, communiques, state of the nation comments, etc which relatively influenced policy and legislation.
“Congress, for instance, always condemned prevalent violence in some parts of the country and called on government to bring this to an end. “Congress sustained its robust engagement with the National Assembly, especially on issues of concern to Labour or great national importance.
“At the international level, the year remains one of the most remarkable through deepened interactions, engagements, programmes and activities, culminating in the election of the President of the Congress to the headship of ITUC Global.
“In spite of these relative successes, the year remains one of the most traumatic for workers, especially given the failure of government to enact and implement the new national minimum wage of N30,000.
“This is in spite of the unimpeachable tripartite process leading to the agreement.
