Admin l Sunday, October 21, 2018
LAGOS, Nigeria – Organised labour has fixed November 6, 2018 to begin another round of strike following failure of the Federal Government to meet up with the N30,000, agreed upon as minimum wage for Nigerian workers. The Federal Government had said it can only pay N24,000, leaving organised labour disappointed.
But in a joint statement today, labour said it has decided to embark on another round of strike with effect from November 6, 2018. The statement was signed by President Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, his counterparts in Trade Union Congress(TUC) Mr Bobboi Kaigama, and United Labour Congress(ULC),Mr Joe Ajaero.
“We the organised 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. So, we have resolved to organise a one-day of National outrage and mourning, which would be used to sensitise Nigerians on our 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 and a meeting of various organs of the Unions will hold as appropriate.
“On Friday, Nov. 2, 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. If nothing is responsibly done by the Federal Government to meet our demands, on Monday, Nov.6 we shall embark on a nationwide strike,’’ the statement said.
The statement explained that it is not true that organised labour had 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.
“ Resorting to Goebbelsianism at this time of national emergency, which requires men and women of integrity is rather unfortunate and cannot suddenly make the brazen falsehoods truths. ’We believe that it has become necessary for the Organised Private Sector (OPS) as represented in the Tripartite Committee to speak up on this matter.
“ Keeping silent in the face of this apparent mischief does our nation no good. It can only help mischief, dishonesty and impunity to grow,” the statement added.
