New Minimum Wage: We are running out of patience ― NLC Warns FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warned the Federal Government on Wednesday that the workers are running out of patience over the delay by the government to increase and announce new national minimum wage; over five years after the last increase.

President of NLC Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who was speaking at the 4th National Gender Conference of the NLC, being organised by the NLC Women Commission in Abuja warned that the workers cannot wait indefinitely for government; adding that the congress may will be forced to take actions that may be unpleasant.

He pointed out that despite the fact that the minimum wage was due for renegotiation after 5 years, the current administration is dragging its feet.

Comrade Wabba said: “As you must have heard we have also submitted a request for an upward review of the National Minimum Wage which was signed into law in 2011 by President Jonathan, by the present administration, Despite the fact that the minimum wage was due for renegotiation after 5 years, the current administration is dragging its feet in constituting a tripartite committee as is the practice to negotiate a new minimum wage.

“Against the background of the harsh economic times and the impact on the working people, we cannot wait indefinitely for government to respond at its own time. Though we have been told by the administration that the panel will be constituted, we enjoined the government to urgently sort out whatever the constraint it is it’s facing and act on the matter before we are forced to take actions that may be unpleasant.”

Comrade Wabba added: “It is no longer news that our Country is in a severe recession, and prices of virtually all consumable and non consumable items have sky rocked.  In the last twelve or more months the inflationary trend in the economy has gone over the roof, and the mass of our people, the salaried and the teeming millions of the unemployed, are facing very difficult times.

“Amidst these difficulties we have contended with a number of state governments that have misplaced priorities and have regularly refused to pay workers in the State pay roll, their salaries as at when due.

“Similarly pension, of retried public servants have gone for several months, and in some cases, years un-paid.  We have over the last 15 months fought these State governments to pay up these outstanding wages and pension liabilities they owe workers. We will continue to do this till all salaries and pensions across the country are fully paid up.”

He said the Congress has over the past three decades worked to promote women participation and involvement in the affairs of the trade unions in particular, and in the Country in general.

The Congress, according to him, has over the past three decades worked to promote women participation and involvement in the affairs of the trade union movement, in industrial unions and State Councils of the NLC nationwide.

The NLC President said the 4th Delegates Conference is coinciding with the International Women’s Day commemoration, which theme is “Be Bold for Change.”

With the theme of the Conference which is “Consolidating the Gains of Gender Mainstreaming in the Trade Unions”, he called on the women to act boldly to “change, our ways and conviction in the family, in workplaces, in our unions and in the wider society to consolidate the gains we have made in the empowerment and advancement of women.”

Also speaking, the chairperson of NLC Women Commission, Comrade Lucy Offiong said despite progress made in gender equity over the years, women still suffer gender discrimination and stereo-type in work places.

Comrade Lucy appealed to the NLC and its affiliate unions to champion change for women not in work place but in society at large.

She said: “The millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about gender equality and women emancipation.  However, women still suffer from gender discrimination, stereotypes and abuses. I therefore call on the NLC and affiliate unions to continue to be the voice of change for women not only in the trade unions but the larger society.”