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Ahead of the 2018 May Day celebration, the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) expressed optimism that the new national minimum wage will operational by the end of third quarter of 2018.
The two labour centers expressed the optimism at the pre-May Day press briefing held in Abuja.
There is overwhelming evidence to show that the living conditions of Nigerian workers and citizens have deteriorated in the past few years.
“To worsen the precarious condition that we workers have found ourselves is the absence if meaningful social cushioning especially by way of decent wages and dignified and working conditions.
“Even, the minimum wage promised by government is yet to materialize. The broader audience economic and political dynamics in our country continue to tempt many workers to lose faith and hope in the Nigerian promise.
“It is under these many dak clouds that we seek to inspire strength, confidence and hope in Nigerian workers and ordinary citizens who currently feel short-changed,” Najeem Yasin, Deputy NLC President said.
On his part, Amodu Olayinka, Co-Chair of 2018 May Day Committee who spoke on behalf of TUC noted that the time table for the new minimum wage has been agreed on by all the parties involved in the negotiation.
He however noted that the organized labour gave ample time of three years to the present administration to overcome the challenged inherited, as a sign of understanding.
While noting that minimum wage is not an award, he vowed that the organized labour will resist any attempt to impose the minimum wage on Nigerian workers.
He however noted that beyond placard carrying, the organized labour movement will engage in constructive engagement with government in the bid to fund amicable solution to various agitations.
The Committee disclosed that the leadership of both Labour Centers have continued to engage with the Presidency, National Assembly as well as other stakeholders on the issue of national minimum wage, stressing that the N66,500 proposal was agreed upon by relevant stakeholders within the labour sector.
According to the Committee, the current salary structure which led to the consolidated minimum wage was a fallout of the monetization policy under the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
The Committee also noted that the five year review of national minimum wage was canvassed by the organized labour, adding that the 2017 May Day celebration which was interrupted by protest was due to nonpayment of monthly salaries.
He however noted that government has commenced the payment of salaries for April as at last week Thursday, as well as promotion arrears.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
