NLC, TUC direct Edo workers to commence strike over new minimum wage

ANGERED by the failure of the government to effect a new national minimum wage, the Edo State councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have directed their members in the private and public sectors to commence a warning strike with effect from tomorrow, September 27.

In a joint statement by the Edo State chairman of the NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Marshall Ohue in Benin yesterday, they said that there is no going back on the strike action until their demands are fully met.

Ademokun and Ohue directed all affiliate unions to ensure full compliance, adding that organized labour is not happy that the recommendations of the technical committee on minimum wage and palliatives chaired by the Secretary to the Federal Government to cushion the effects of the increase in the pump price of petroleum products have not been implemented.

The unionists insisted that the national minimum wage was not only legally due about two years ago but that the increase in the pump price of petroleum products by the current administration had fundamental consequential effects on the people.

They lamented that the increase in electricity tariff coupled with the massive devaluation of the naira leading to increased punishment on the people has made a new national minimum wage necessary but urgent.

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While wondering what has gone wrong, the duo recalled that the Minister of Employment Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige had assured workers during the NLC 40th anniversary celebration last February that workers should expect a new minimum wage in September this year.

They said that the recent pronouncement by Ngige which directed that the committee on new minimum wage should adjourn indefinitely was provocative, suspicious and of great concern.