MINIMUM WAGE PALAVA: NIGERIAN WORKERS THREATEN NATIONWIDE STRIKE

The Federal Government further claimed no amount was agreed with the labour leaders at a meeting of a tripartite committee also involving the private sector, contrary to the labour unions, initial demand of N50, 000 minimum wage, but said the two parties agreed to N30, 000 during the negotiation.

Penpushing reports that the labour leaders said it was not true that they (unions) proposed N30, 000 as the new national minimum wage, adding that, “it is also not true that the committee did not agree on a figure during its last sitting’.

The labour leaders added, ‘We accepted N30, 000 as a compromise to demonstrate the willingness of Nigerian workers to make sacrifices towards nation building’.

However, the duo of Wabba and Ajaero (labour leaders) said 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. At this time the OPS does not have any other choice but to rise to the occasion by telling Nigerians what transpired in the meeting’.

“What we are waiting for is for the federal government to immediately set in motion the necessary machinery for turning the agreement into a Bill for onward submission to the NASS where we expect the presidency to work together with the legislators to make it a law so that it can be implemented quickly.”

Penpushing also reports that, the workers leaders stated that, the labour unions in Nigeria have not seen any sign of seriousness on the Government’s part to resolve workers’ concerns.

“A day of national outrage and mourning which will 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,” they emphasised.