Labour gives FG 14-day ultimatum to resolve minimum wage impasse

The organised labour has given the federal government 14 days to reconvene the committee on a new minimum wage or risk industrial action.

Leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC) were furious at the decision of Chris Ngige, minister of labour, to adjourn the work of the committee indefinitely.

NLC president, Ayuba Wabba said labour will not accept the new delay antics of the government.

Wabba said, “This new antic certainly is not acceptable to Nigerian workers who had expected a new national minimum wage since 2016 but who out of uncommon sacrifice and patriotism, hearkened to government’s appeal and the process was delayed.

“You may wish to recall that the National Minimum Wage Committee was inaugurated in November 2017 but commenced work in March 2018 with timelines to deliver on its mandate of arriving at a new national minimum wage in August/September 2018.

“In the course of the work of the committee, members had the ample time to consult. In any case, the committee was satisfied that it received memoranda and inputs from 21 state governments, specialized agencies of the federal government, the organised private sector, organised labour and the general public.

“We even recall that Dr. Ngige himself had assured workers during the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in February this year that workers should expect a new national minimum wage in September this year.”

Wabba also said the national minimum wage was not only necessary but urgent.

He added: “In view of the foregoing, we demand that government does all that is necessary to ensure that the Tripartite Committee is allowed to conclude its work within 14 days from today.

LWe would want to use this opportunity to let the government and the whole world know that in the event that this demand is not met, we will not guarantee continued industrial peace and harmony.”