…To Resume Negotiation On Minimum Wage Today
Barely a week after pulling out of the minimum wage Tripartite committee, the Organised Labour will today (Tuesday, May 22) continue discussion with the federal government.
The decision was taken at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Monday.
In a communique signed by President NLC Comrade Joe Ajaero and President TUC Festus Osifo, the unions resolved to continue the discussion citing “the urgency of reaching a fair and equitable agreement that reflects the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of government’s policies”.
However, both unions reiterated the May 31 deadline for the stoppage of the recent hike in electricity tariff, and implementation of the 2019, N30,000 minimum wage by some state government.
The resolution read, “The NEC once again vehemently condemns the unilateral increase in electricity tariff by the authorities. This action, taken without due consideration for the economic hardships faced by the masses and the provisions of the Law, is deemed unjust and burdensome.
“The NEC reaffirms its demands for an immediate reversal of the tariff hike and the vexatious apartheid categorization into Bands to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and citizens and gives the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government until the last day of May 2024 to meet these demands.
“The NEC acknowledges the ongoing negotiations between the NC/TUC, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and the federal government regarding the new national minimum wage.
“While appreciating the efforts made thus far, the NEC emphasizes the urgency of reaching a fair and equitable agreement that reflects the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of government’s policies.
“NEC-in-session further directed all state Councils whose state Governments are yet to fully implement the N30,000 National Minimum Wage and its consequential adjustments to issue immediately a joint two-week ultimatum to the culpable state Governments to avert industrial action.
“The NEC-in-session therefore reiterates the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC to the federal government, which expires on the last day of this month. It emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the demands put forth by Nigerian workers and urges the government to prioritize the resolution of these issues in the best interest of industrial peace”.