Struggling Nigerian economy risks even greater shocks from January 2019, as organised labour has served a fresh notice of nationwide strike over the delayed in the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage earlier recommended by the national minimum wage tripartite committee.
Unless averted, Nigerians may be in for harder times at the turn of the new year, as petroleum products, foods, medical and transportation services, including aviation would be in short supply. Labour has vowed to mobilise members from across all sectors of the economy to down tools after December 31, 2018.
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC), arrived at the decision, Thursday, during a meeting in Lagos where they expressed total disappointment with the Federal Government’s plan to set up a high-powered technical to review and rework the recommendation of the national minimum wage tripartite committee.
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Recall that the committee which was chaired by Ama Pepple, a former head of service of the federation, and comprising representatives of government, labour and organised private sector, wrapped up its sitting two months ago, and submitted it recommendation to President Muhamadu Buhari. But Buhari while presenting the 2019 national budget on Wednesday, he would be setting up a technical committee to look into whether the federal and state governments can afford to pay N30,000.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the labour’s meeting and signed by Ayuba Wabba, Bobboi Kagaima, and Joe Ajaero, presidents- NLC, TUC and ULC, respectively, the leaders said they would no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the country if after December 31, 2018, the Federal Government failed to do the needful.
Labour had suspended the strike about almost two months ago to enable the government forward the recommendation of the committee to the national assembly to deliberate and give it legal backing.
“Organised labour will not guarantee industrial peace and harmony if after December 31, 2018, the draft bill is not transmitted to the National Assembly. This serves as a statutory notice for organised labour to recall our suspended nation-wide industrial action,” the communique reads.
JOSHUA BASSEY
