Labour yesterday called for a pay rise for workers.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) urged the Federal Government to increase the salary of civil servants, police officers, members of armed forces and para-military agencies.
The unions said it was only fair to adjust upwards their emoluments close to those of employees in other segments of the public service.
NLC President, Ayuba Wabba presented the demands during the 2022 May Day celebrations at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct relevant agencies to implement the salary increment announced for teachers and police officers last year.
Wabba said: “We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for announcing salary increment for our teachers and police officers last year.
“We urge relevant agencies of government to translate this presidential declaration from a promise to actual deposits in the bank accounts of the concerned workers.
“In this vein, we demand an upward review of the salary of core civil servants, officers of the Nigeria Police Force, members of our armed forces and paramilitary agencies who make huge sacrifices to keep us safe.
“We believe it is only just to narrow their emoluments and those of employees in other segments of the public service.”
Wabba also commended President Buhari for exempting permanent secretaries from the contributory pension scheme and approving salaries for life for them.
He described the gesture as a good motivation “for those who have devoted their lives in the service of our nation and people.”
While noting the failure of the government in education, economy, health, security and energy sectors, among others, the unions vowed to mobilise workers to participate in the 2023 elections.
They promised to facilitate the emergence of a progressive pro-Nigerian workers’ political coalition, saying their 16 million block votes would go to a progressive and worker-friendly party.
“If your political party is truly progressive and worker-friendly, you should be talking to us.
“The over 16 million block votes of Nigerian workers, pensioners, our families and our other circle of influence will go to political parties and candidates that assure us that the dreams of Nigerian workers and people would no longer be treated as governance addendum or as objects to be trampled under,” the unions said.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the country was moving steadily towards progressive development.
He called for continued support for the government, pleading with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the broader labour community to seek dialogue.
The Vice President noted that disagreement and debate have always been part of the relationship between labour and the government.
Osinbajo said: “It is in this spirit that I call on ASUU to embrace dialogue with the government and I call on the NLC and the TUC to help facilitate a resolution of this dispute through dialogue.
“I believe that we can find a path forward in good faith. And this is what we will do.”
Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige urged the Organised Labour to avoid actions inimical to the quest for good governance and development.
He appealed to the workers to embrace consensus in times of differing opinions rather than debilitating actions with far-reaching consequences.
The minister frowned at the situation where strike is always the first option considered by unions in pressing home their demands.