Minimum wage implementation: TUC charges workers to get ready

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday charged Nigerians workers, especially those in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be ready for the ultimate trade union actions over the government delay in the implementation of the new N30,000 national minimum wage.

Speaking at the 6th Triennial Delegates Conference of TUC, FCT Council in Abuja, the President of TUC, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, said the organised Labour, under the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress had already given the government some days to look at the issue and urgently do the needful.

He pointed out that Labour and the workers are not afraid, but ready to engage the government over the new wage because the salary is their right and not a gift.

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The TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress had early in the week written the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, to ensure that the Federal Government do all within its power to immediately reconvene the meeting of the  Council negotiating the Relativity/ Consequential Adjustment of Salaries arising from the National Minimum Wage of N30,000; with the inclusion of the TUC and NLC, to avert a major industrial crisis.

However, while addressing the FCT workers on Thursday, the TUC President said the organised Labour had given the government some days, adding that Labour was awaiting the outcome of their meeting before knowing the next line of action to take.

“On the issue of the new N30,000 national minimum wage, we have given the government some days to look at the document, to reconvene the committee meeting which I heard they had a meeting yesterday. we are still waiting for the outcome of that meeting before TUC can take the next line of action.

“We are not afraid; we are always ready to engage the government because the salary is our right, it is not a gift.” Comrade Olaleye said.

Specifically, he challenges the FCT workers and their leadership, led by the Chairman, FCT Council of TUC, Comrade Amodu Olayinka, to be ready and prepared, because the FCT workers will lead the way for others to follow.

The TUC President said: “FCT is very important to us being the capital of the country. This is where everything takes place. They need to showcase TUC in a modern way, in the best practical way. That is why I have to increase the TUC national oversight. I should be expecting that they should be able to pay salaries and pay promptly because this is very important.

“You will agree with me that if salaries are paid, with the condition of employment in Nigeria that each employee you see caters for many members of the family. If salaries are paid I think we can be able to reduce crisis in the country. FCT council is in position to lead before other states copy.”

He points out that when he was elected as TUC president, he was not afraid of anything, saying, “since my emergence as TUC president, I’ve tried to work on our unity because in unity lies our strength. As at today, TUC can’t be divided. We have all realised the strength in that unity more than ever.

“Also, I’ve tried to focus on the purpose of our centre which is the advancement of the workers’ interest. I try to put a word of the divide between politics and unionism. As the new leader, I am going to focus on the purpose of establishing our movement which is to advance the interest of the workers.

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“I am very focused, I will only concentrate on what will advance the interest of my members than meddling in matters that are irrelevant to our existence as workers, that is the TUC you’re going to see.”

He explained further: “We have engaged government constructively and you know what is happening on minimum wage, I have left no stone unturned, without challenging the government.

“The most important thing for any worker is your salary because it is the means of you satisfying every other thing. You are the power holding of yourself today, you are the water cooperation, you are the public school, so it means the only way you can achieve those things is to enhance your salary, your condition of service and you will feel happy you work for an employer.

“For the past few weeks, I’ve engaged the government seriously and that will continue. Any moment from now, I will equally be engaging other parastatals of government.”