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FG urges Labour to settle for realistic minimum wage

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris has urged Labour to settle for a national minimum wage that will not undermine the economy and lead to mass retrenchment of workers.

Idris made appeal while declaring open the 2024 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Abuja.

Idris pleaded with labour to seek a realistic and sustainable wage regime that is realistic and will not rock the country’s economic.

Idris also highlighted government’s efforts towards reducing the cost of living and increase Nigerians’ purchasing power through programs like the Presidential CNG initiative, which aims to cut transportation costs by 50%.

He said: “As I have repeatedly said, the Federal Government is not opposed to the increase of wages for Nigerian Workers but we keep on advocating for a realistic and sustainable wage system for the workers – a wage system that will not undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardize the welfare of about 200 million Nigerians.

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“We want the Labour Unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that they fully deserve, will not come only in the form of an increase in wages.

“It will also come as efforts to reduce the cost of living and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians. And this is where programs like the Presidential CNG initiative come in. By replacing or complementing petrol usage with CNG, that program alone will cut transportation costs by as much as 50 percent.”

The Minister appealed to the clerics to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for renaissance and pray for wisdom and guidance as the country navigates its current challenges.

Noting that Tinubu stepped into power at the most challenging time for Nigeria, Idris said that the President is working assiduously to ensure sustainable development across the country.

He said: “There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Mr. President stepped up with a great sense of courage and responsibility. In the last year he has been implementing crucial and comprehensive reforms aimed at steering our country back onto the path of growth, prosperity, and sustainable development.

“President Tinubu has never shied away from acknowledging the reality of these pains. In his Democracy Day address delivered to the nation just this morning, President Tinubu summed it up very aptly: “The reforms we have initiated are intended to create a stronger, better foundation for future growth.

“There is no doubt the reforms have occasioned hardship. Yet, they are necessary repairs required to fix the economy over the long run so that everyone has access to economic opportunity, fair pay, and compensation for his endeavour and labour.”

“Indeed, as a nation, we are enduring short-term sacrifice, for long-term benefits. We are inspired by the bigger picture of a Nigeria where no one is left behind.”

He hinted that his Ministry would collaborate with the clerics in the implementation of the national orientation programme, the National Values Charter.

June 12, 2024
Labour strike and illegality of national grid shutdown
- By Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye
On Monday, June 3, 2024, Nigerian workers embarked on a nationwide strike, leading to the shutdown of the national grid. The power supply across the country was disrupted, resulting in a nationwide blackout. The strike was called by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to demand a higher minimum wage for workers.

The Guardian newspaper’s reporting of the relevant aspect of the event is captured hereunder: “From aviation to power supply, seaport and public healthcare, Nigeria’s bleeding economy was brought to its knees yesterday as organised labour embarked on a nationwide industrial action to force the government to an acceptable compromise on the ongoing minimum wage negotiation. The economy lost an estimated N113 billion to the shutdown of the national grid alone, leaving the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) struggling to restore power supply to homes and industries… Nigerians were plunged into darkness in the early hours of Monday as the national grid crashed to zero generation following the enforcement of industrial action by the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE). The Guardian gathered that the grid went down between 1am and 2am today.

“Initially, the grid dropped to about 2,805 megawatts at 1am, then plummeted to approximately 1,000MW by 2am and further to 28MW by 3am. before eventually reaching zero megawatts by 4am…Industry stakeholders have expressed their dismay over the shutdown and emphasized the detrimental effects on the economy and public welfare, highlighting the critical role of a stable power supply in driving economic growth and development. They argued that the grid shutdown has caused unprecedented disruptions, impacting not just businesses but also essential services such as healthcare.

“Executive Director, PowerUp Nigeria, Adetayo Adegbemle, said the deliberate shutdown of the grid should be a treasonable offence, noting that the Labour leadership needs to grow up and devise other means and strategies of engaging with government, instead of shutting down the national grid… What has happened to the national grid is a national security issue and labour should not have shut it down. It is disproportional and not appropriate. Whatever labour does should be within the law as no one is above the law. The body has the right to protest but other citizens should have the right to live.”

From the available updates, the Tripartite Committee set up by the federal government to address the national minimum wage issue has reached a recommendation of N62,000 as the new monthly minimum wage for civil servants. While both the federal government and the organised private sector (OPS) have agreed to the proposed N62,000, the organised labour has rejected this offer, threatening to resume the suspended strike. The situation remains tense. The right of workers to embark on strikes is recognised and unquestionably conceded. It is a constitutional right. Workers have the right to strike and protest, but that right must be balanced against the need to protect the public interest and prevent harm to critical national infrastructure. The leadership of the organised labour should be sufficiently informed that using strike to disrupt national infrastructure is criminal. It endangers public safety, causes widespread economic harm, violates the rights of other citizens and undermines the rule of law. Workers’ rights must be exercised responsibly, and strike should not be used to harm the public or disrupt critical services. By distinguishing between legitimate strike and criminal disruption of national infrastructure, the rights of both workers and the public interest can be protected.

In many countries, laws and regulations prohibit strikes that disrupt essential services, such as power generation, water supply, and healthcare. Workers in these critical sectors often have alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms to address their grievances without resorting to strikes that harm the public interest. In Nigeria, the Cybercrimes Act, 2015 (as amended), section 5(1) thereof, criminalises disruption to critical national infrastructure. The law prescribes a punishment of a term of not more than 10 years without an option of a fine. The relevant provision states as follows: 5(1) Any person who with intent, commits any offence punishable under this Act against any critical national information infrastructure, designated pursuant to section 3 of this Act, shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years without an option of fine.

As a threshold point, it is expedient to remark here that one of the core objectives of the Cybercrimes Act 2015, as stated under Section 1(b) of the Act is to protect critical national information infrastructure (CNII). Towards this end, the President under Section 3(1) of the Act empowered by Order published in the Federal Gazette, and on the recommendation of the National Security Adviser, to designate certain systems, and/or networks, whether physical or virtual, considered vital to this country that the incapacity or destruction or interference with such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national or economic security, national public health and safety, or any combination of those matters as constituting Critical National Information Infrastructure. It is on record that the President of the Federal Republic is yet to take advantage of the provision of Section 3(1) in designating any essential system or asset as critical national infrastructure.

Last week’s disruption to Nigeria’s critical infrastructure underscores the urgency for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action under Section 3 of the Cybercrimes Act, designating essential systems as critical infrastructure to prevent future disruptions and ensure national security in the nation’s interests. Although the President has not designated any critical infrastructure, the National Security Adviser has proactively identified 13 sectors as Critical Information Infrastructure sectors in the National Cybersecurity Policy 2021, effectively recognising their importance to national security and economic resilience. In the said policy, thirteen sectors have been identified as Critical Information Infrastructure Sectors. They are Power and Energy; Water; Information; Communication; Science and Technology; Banking/Finance and Insurance; Health; Public Administration; Education; Defence and Security; Transport; Food and Agriculture; Safety and Emergency Services; Industrial and Manufacturing; and Mines and Steel. There is no doubt that these critical sectors constitute a virtual life support system requiring protection.

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Let it be known that there is no universal classification or definition of what constitutes “critical infrastructure” or “critical national information infrastructure (CNII).” The meaning is elastic. It varies from one country to another. Each country defines the concept based on national needs, resources, level of development, exigencies and priorities, amongst others. Accordingly, there can be as many definitions of critical national information infrastructure (CNII) as there are countries of the world, although, in substance and character, the definitions are similar. In general terms, critical infrastructure is understood as consisting of facilities and services that are vital to the operation of a society. They are so essential that their continued operation is required to ensure the security of a given nation, its economy, public health, and safety. They are considered “critical” because their “destruction would have an impact on the security, national economic security, national public health and safety of the country.” Going by the provision of Section 3(1) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015, the type of impact contemplated under Section 58 of the Act is a debilitating one. The word ‘debilitating’ in the context of Section 58 of the Act should be understood in its ordinary grammatical sense as an act capable of causing serious impairment of strength or ability to function.

The United States of America President’s Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection (PCCIP) describes critical infrastructure as being “combinations of physical and cyber assets vital to the national economic well-being and security. The US PATRIOT Act, 2011 defines critical infrastructure as, “systems and assets, physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health and safety, or any combination of those matters.” Canada’s definition of what is critical involves “serious impact on the health, safety, security, or economic well-being of Canadians or the effective functioning of governments in Canada.” Germany refers to “significant disruptions to public order or other dramatic consequences. The Netherland’s critical infrastructure policy refers to “infrastructure whose disruption would cause “major social disturbance”, “tremendous loss of life” and “economic damage.”

Critical infrastructure is defined under Section 58 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015 as: “systems and assets which are so vital to the country that the destruction of such systems and assets would have an impact on the security, national economic security, national public health and safety of the country.” The definition is an adaptation of the US PATRIOT Act’s definition, except for the omission of the word, “incapacity.” The word “destruction” that is common to both definitions should be underscored. The definition of critical infrastructure in Section 58 is supplemented by Section 3, which addresses the notable absence of the term ‘incapacity’ by explicitly including ‘incapacity’ and ‘interference’ in the designation of critical infrastructure assets, providing a more robust framework for their protection.

Destruction of a system or asset necessarily involves annihilation, demolition, or causing havoc on such a system or asset. The destruction can be due to natural causes (earthquakes, lightning strikes, etc.) or physical destruction attributed to intentional human actions, theft, arson, or terrorist attacks). For instance, sometime in 2021, it was widely reported that militants of the Islamic State in the West Africa Province (ISWAP) blew up a power grid in Maiduguri, thereby plunging the entire city of Maiduguri into darkness for many days. The act of the terrorists was destructive as it severely damaged electricity infrastructure and disrupted the economic and daily lives of the residents of the city. ‘Incapacity’ of critical infrastructure, on the other hand, may not necessarily involve physical destruction. For instance, an action that changes the functionality of a given information artefact may have a devastating impact on an infrastructure. The notion of ‘interference’ with critical infrastructure is all-embracing. It refers to any unauthorised or malicious activity that disrupts, damages, or destroys critical infrastructure. It may involve physical attacks. It generally encompasses any activity that compromises the integrity, reliability, or availability of critical infrastructure. Mere disruption of operations, for instance through denial of services will also pass as interference. Interference with critical infrastructure can have significant consequences, as the nation experienced last week.

In light of the foregoing, an asset or a system does not need to be destroyed to have a debilitating impact on the security, economy, public health, and safety of the country. Although Section 58 of the Act emphasises ‘destruction,’ and omits the word ‘incapacity,’ thereby making it appear as if the destruction of a system or an asset is what can cause a negative impact. When the provision of Section 58 is read in conjunction with Section 3(1), it becomes clear that acts that can bring about debilitating impacts on critical infrastructure encompass incapacity, disruption, or interference and not just destruction. Interference necessarily entails disruption. The strike of last week that led to the shutdown of the national grid witnessed a mass disruption of economic and social activities. There was also the shutting down of banks, schools, hospitals, railways, aviation, and other essential services. Although no act of physical destruction was attributed to the striking workers against any critical infrastructure, nevertheless, it can rightly be said that the disruptive acts of the organised labour brought about a debilitating impact on critical infrastructure in Nigeria.

The centrality of Critical National Information Infrastructure to Nigeria is stated in the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021 as follows: The nation depends on the functioning of certain information and communications technology systems to drive vital national imperatives such as economic, commerce, and financial transactions, social interactions, public safety, power and water supply, medical and health, government operations, national security, and defence. These systems, networks, and infrastructure underpin our national life and ensure our existence and survival as a country. Any disruption, destruction, or interference to the operation of these assets has the potential to undermine government operations, social wellbeing, economic prosperity and national security. With the advent of technology, nations all over the world are now known to depend on power and telecommunication systems for many things like communications, transportation, manufacturing as well as education, financial aviation services, and national defence, amongst others. Power and communication systems have, therefore, become very critical to humanity and should be adequately protected. Take away electric power for a few days, the whole nation would be paralysed; tasks and objectives may be impossible to achieve, and the security of the nation may be compromised. Therefore, organised labour should never again contemplate shutting down the national grid. Instead of shutting down the grid, it should focus on addressing any grievances or concerns through peaceful and constructive means. Together, we can build a brighter future for ourselves and future generations. In any event, the fear of the cybercrimes Act should be the beginning of wisdom for the organised labour.

•Omolaye-Ajileye is a former high court judge and visiting professor, National Open University of Nigeria
June 11, 2024
Minimum wage: Labour awaits Tinubu’s decision on N62,000
- Blasts govs for rejecting N60,000; labels their action wicked
- Pay rise may not bode well for economy – Experts
President Bola Tinubu’s position on the N62,000 just agreed on by the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector as the new minimum wage will determine Organised Labour’s next line of action on the matter, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) said yesterday.

President of NLC Joe Ajaero told The Nation that labour was awaiting the President’s response to the recommendation adopted at the Friday meeting of the Tripartite Committee on the new minimum wage in Abuja.

Labour’s first reaction to the proposal on Friday was that of rejection with Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo insisting that the minimum acceptable to workers was N250,000.

The NLC, in a separate statement yesterday, took a swipe at state governors for declaring that they lack the capacity to pay even the N60,000 earlier offered by the federal government.

The workers union said the stance of the governors was in bad taste and “an extreme bad news for the poor.”

The new figure of N62,000 was confirmed by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and TUC President Festus Osifo at the end of Friday’s meeting.

Emerging from the meeting of the Tripartite Committee, Governor Uzodimma said the panel would send its recommendation to President Tinubu for his approval.

He said the President would in turn forward an executive bill on a final figure as minimum wage to the National Assembly.

Contacted last night, Ajaero said he expected the President to make further consultation on the committee’s recommendation before taking a final decision on the minimum wage by way of an Executive Bill to be sent to the National Assembly.

“We’ll wait for the harmonisation of such consultation,” he said.

He recalled that in the build-up to the emergence of the existing N30, 000 minimum wage, a lower figure was recommended for the approval of then president who raised it to what was eventually sent to the legislature.

Labour blasts govs over stance on minimum wage

Reacting yesterday to the Friday statement issued by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) that the states lack capacity to pay N60,000 as minimum wage, the NLC said the governors acted in bad faith.

“It is unheard of for such a statement to be issued to the world in the middle of an ongoing negotiation. It is certainly in bad taste,” NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said in a statement entitled ‘Save the country from a certain death.’

He said the union was alarmed by the NGF’s claim that state governments could not even afford to pay N60,000 as minimum wage as “a few states will end up borrowing to pay workers every month.”

He said the Forum‘s claim was untrue “as FAAC allocations have since grown from N700 billion to N1.2 trillion, making the state governments extremely rich at the expense of the people.”

Continuing, Upah said: “All that the governors need to do to be able to pay a reasonable national minimum wage (not even the N60,000) is cut the high cost of governance, minimise corruption as well as prioritise the welfare of workers.

“It is important to explain here that a national minimum wage is not synonymous with the different pay structures of different states. The national minimum wage is the lowest floor below which no employer is allowed to pay. The aim is to protect the weak and the poor.

“We are not fixated with figures but value. Those who argue that moving the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N60,000 is sufficiently good enough miss the point. In 2019 when N30,000 became the minimum, N300 exchanged for $1 (effectively making the minimum wage an equivalent of $100 or thereabouts) while the inflation rate was 11.40.

“At the moment, the exchange rate is at N1,600 to $1 while inflation hovers at 33.7 per cent (40 per cent for food). This puts the value of the minimum wage at $37.5 for a family of six.

“This is happening at a time when the cost of everything has risen by more than 400 percent as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies. This is extremely bad news for the poor.

“Government’s policies of fuel subsidy removal, mindless devaluation of the Naira, energy tariff hike by 250 per cent and interest rate hike by 26.5 per cent will continue to hurt the economy (especially manufacturing sector) and the poor.

“Already manifest is the mass incapacity of Nigerians leading to overflowing warehouses of the productive sector of the economy. The downward trend will continue except the capacity of workers and businesses is enhanced.

“Paying a miserable national minimum wage portends grave danger to not only the workforce but the national economy as in truth, economies of most states are driven by workers’ wages.

“In the light of this, we urge the governors to do a re-think and save the country from a certain death.”

The NGF had said although its members were “in agreement that a new minimum wage is due,” all parties should consider the implications for the various interest groups.

It asked all parties to note that the new minimum wage negotiations “also involve consequential adjustments across all cadres, including pensioners.”

It said: “The NGF cautions parties in this important discussion to look beyond just signing a document for the sake of it; any agreement to be signed should be sustainable and realistic.

“All things considered, the NGF holds that the N60,000 minimum wage proposal is not sustainable and cannot fly.

“It will simply mean that many states will spend all their FAAC allocations on just paying salaries with nothing left for development purposes.

“In fact, a few states will end up borrowing to pay workers every month.

“We do not think this will be in the collective interest of the country, including workers.

“We appeal that all parties involved, especially the labour unions, consider all the socioeconomic variables and settle for an agreement that is sustainable, durable and fair to all other segments of the society who have legitimate claim to public resources.”

The Nation had reported that it took a lot of efforts by the Tripartite Committee to have the OPS on its side on the new minimum wage.

But the states remained adamant and sources said some had accused the federal government of caving in to labour’s pressure without critically looking at the feasibility of the new figure.

Yusuf, Adebola, Ibrahim warn on implication of proposed minimum wage

Reviewing the protracted crisis over the new minimum wage yesterday, some economic experts warned that the proposal was fraught with negative effects on the economy.

A former Director General at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Muda Yusuf, said the new minimum wage was nothing to cheer about.

“The N62K is not a lot of money in today’s Nigeria given the cost of living, high inflation situation, especially for workers who are living in the cities,” Yusuf, an economist told The Nation.

He said: “The N62K cannot really do much. But again, we have to situate it within the context of affordability and sustainability.

“One thing that is very challenging about the public sector workforce is that the public workforce is generally too large. There is a lot of redundancy in the public sector whether at federal, state or local government levels.

“Given the wide disparity between what labour proposed and what the government is offering, there are concerns about whether the industrial or labour actions will be permanently laid to rest at this time because the recent industrial action crippled and disrupted the economy significantly, and as investors and private sector players, we don’t want to see a repeat of that.

“Also, more disturbing is that the governments in the state have been quoted as saying that they cannot even pay the N60K. So it means that the uncertainty around this wage issue is likely to persist, and that is, of course, not good for the economy.

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“The wage negotiation is a very tricky and complicated matter. The state governments are stakeholders in this process and I’m not sure they are effectively part of this negotiation.

“So, that means that even the negotiation is not sufficiently conclusive because before we can impose a minimum wage, the state and local governments must be part of the negotiations.”

To address the issue frontally, Yusuf, who is the CEO of Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) said the government needs to do all within its powers to refloat the economy in terms of managing food inflation, insecurity and infrastructural challenges like power and energy supply.

In a separate interview, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Arch Kabir Ibrahim, called for the government’s support for farmers to check the high cost of food.

“Our incomes depend on what we grow. If the government wants to have wholesale support for everyone in Nigeria, what we should do is to make the farm inputs more affordable so that we can optimise our farm production and make the produce more affordable,” Ibrahim said. “Government is talking about attainment of food security and a state of emergency on food. Affordability is a very important factor in driving food security.

“If people cannot afford food within the minimum wage now that means there would be more agitations. The government must do something readily here and now.”

On his part, Peter Sunday Adebola, a capital management expert, said: “When we are talking about wages for workers, there are two sides to it. We call one nominal wage and then we call the other one real wage.

“The nominal wage is the amount in terms of money just as we are talking about now. But the real wage is actually what the value of that wage is or what that wage can actually buy. And we calculate that in economics by dividing the nominal wage by the inflation rate.

“The inflation rate is 33.69% now. The nominal wage, if they increase it to N62,000 as they are proposing now, you are going to get the real wage.

“What you are going to get is that based on the current inflation that you have now, your real wage is N62,000 and if you divide it by 1.3369, you are going to get what the real wage is going to be within the economy.

“So that means that you don’t deceive yourself by saying that you have an increment of maybe 100% from what it used to be. It is not 100%.

“That said, what we have to look at is how we can bring it down. Because how can we increase the real wage? That should bother everybody.

“Granted, they are increasing the nominal wage. But how can we increase the real wage? To increase the real wage, they have to work in such a way that the inflation rate comes down. And what they are going to do is not different from what we have been talking about since in order to grow the economy.”

Adebola observed that “The headline inflation rate is currently about 33.69 with the food inflation at over 40%. If you want to really calculate what your money can buy, even if they increase your nominal wage by 100%, that means that what N1,000 can buy now, if they increase this money, N1,000 will not be able to buy it again. That’s what it means if you don’t work on inflation. So what the government needs to do is to work on how to bring down food prices.”

On the way forward, he said at least let the food inflation come down from about 40% to 10%, or even lower.

“If that happens, then the increment will have an impact on the economy. My take is that as they are increasing the minimum wage, then they have to bring down the food prices because anytime the market women hear that they have increased the salary, they also hike the cost of goods. This is what we call behavioral finance. What they would do is that they too will increase the prices of everything, and that one will also lead to inflation.”

Raising some posers, Adebola said the minimum wage can hardly take care of anyone presently. “If they are giving somebody N62,000 or whatever they put it, somebody is living in let’s say Iyana-Ipaja or he is living in Abule-Egba and he has to go to work in Victoria Island, or even in Alausa Secretariat, if you calculate the transport fare to and fro every day, the person will be spending about N2,000.

“So now, N2,000 is calculated for 25 days; that is N50,000. Will the person not pay rent or is he not going to be feeding his family? So what is left? That is why this increment is necessary. They just have to do it. “However, while they are doing it, they also have to bring the prices of food down.”
June 9, 2024
Strike: Is Labour coyly being driven along an ethnic agenda

N494,000 is more than sixteen times the current minimum wage of N30,000. If the Federal Government accepts that as the new minimum wage, and Nigeria’s production capacity does not also increase, times sixteen, it will lead to the mother of all inflation and Nigeria will be turned to the likes of Zimbabwe and Venezuela. Joe Ajaero and his gang are not economists.

Worse, they are supporters of Peter Obi and are, therefore, fighting a proxy war on his behalf. They have no economic agenda but a political objective” –

Reno omokri, slightly edited for space.

Fortunately for Nigeria at the 2023 Presidential election, Nigerians did not elect a timid President who, in office, would have been all over searching for his ‘Yes Daddy’.

Rather, we elected a Bola Ahmed Tinubu who, as his worst enemy would agree, is as bold as they come.

This attribute he has severally demonstrated to Nigerians by taking action on very sensitive matters his predecessors couldn’t touch, even if the removal of fuel subsidy have turned out more impulsive than properly interrogated. But without a scintilla of doubt, doing nothing in the circumstances in which he met the country was obviously not an option.

Unfortunately, some politicians, pretending to be labour leaders, have since attempted to exploit the consequences of subsidy removal to make Nigeria ungovernable as a way of achieving their ethnic driven motives.

So tenacious about this has Joe Ajaero been, declaring three National strikes within Tinubu’s first year in office, that it is already being suggested in some quarters that, unknown to the generality of the labour leadership he is, in reality, pursuing, not just a Peter Obi agenda but an ethnic one; instigated, no doubt, by some ill- motivated ethnic champions. And so arrogant has the ethnic bigot become he even toyed with the idea of creating a ‘hall of shame’ for judges, simply because his brother, Peter Obi, who placed third in the 2023 Presidential election, did not emerge President of Nigeria like this were a banana republic.

For those who may doubt my claim, I invite them to come along with me to, examine, not just the ferocity and crudity, but the sheer barbarity of the current strike; Ajaero’s third within a year.

Let us for that reason press into service, the inimitable Olatunji Ololade of The Nation newspaper, as per his Thursday, 6 June 2024, piece captioned ‘Angry Joe and His Motley mob’, to put Ajaero and his gang’s gung-ho, I – don’t- care a hoot strike into proper perspective.

Wrote Ololade:”The labour union’s reckless decision to cut off electricity supply, plunged the country into darkness, including crucial sectors like aviation and hospitals, thus endangering lives. It also affected both big and small business owners, especially society’s vulnerable divide, like the struggling grocer whose daily livelihood depends on selling perishable goods.

More damning are the allegations that the labour union’s monitoring and compliance team swooped on electricity workers, goons like, beating and forcing them to shut down the national grid.

Despite his denial, the spectacle of labour leaders wielding canes to beat, and chase staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) out of their offices, undermines the moral authority of the labour movement in Nigeria. Such thuggery betrays the principles of democratic advocacy, painting Ajaero and his allies as anarchists rather than champions of workers’ rights”. Gone, indeed, are the days of Adams Oshiomhole as Labour leader!

But their crudity said much more.

It showed in unmistakable terms, that if their cousins, the Obidients failed, last time around, to suborn the military into insurrection to pave way for one of their own into the now, perennially elusive presidency, Ajaero must so adroitly exploit the anger on the street in Nigeria, to ensure that the country erupts into such a huge crisis that the military, which had earlier rejected all their entreaties, would now feel obligated to intervene, albeit illegally, under the guise of trying to restore peace.

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Yorubas describe this as: kaka k’eku ma je sese, a fi se a wa danu – meaning that even if the rat would not eat the grains, it would waste it all.

Let us now examine the sheer illogic of the basis ( the premise) for Labour’s thoroughly unreasonable demand for a N494,000 minimum wage. Eager to play a fast one on the federal government, they changed the President’s directive to the committee to work out a MINIMUM wage to seeking a LIVING wage as if there is no difference between the two. They henceforth proceeded to claim that their calculations are based on a worker with a wife, and 6 children.

The following questions then arise:

a)Are all workers married?

b)Do all workers each have 6 children?

c). Do they all have the same academic, or professional, qualifications which will most probably determine their productivity. This is beside the fact that many workers, especially in the public service, spent most of the working hours watching Africa Magic. Even though Ajaero and his allies may very well have very high paper qualifications, I’ll still call them illiterates.

Why?

Because should any of the above questions turn out negative, then the entire basis for their demand fails and they are left with nothing. That is the essence of syllogism.

Ajaero needs be told that no matter his wayo, or his obtuse skulduggery, as long as he is being driven by vain, and selfish ethnic reasons, he will labour in vain because Nigerians have seen through him.

Now back to why I started off with describing President Tinubu as a brave politician. It is to call on him to draw strength from his legendary bravery and not, in any way, impede the Attorney – General and minister of Justice, who already declared Ajaero’s third strike illegal, from ensuring that he, and his accomplices, have their day in court, if only for illegally shutting down the national grid.

Apart from all its possible negative consequences, especially for national security, as a result of which workers on strike are legally precluded from tampering with essential services, these fellows- I almost called them outlaws – must not be allowed to get away with treason.

Otherwise, shutting down the national grid during every strike will become routine. This must never be allowed to happen in any country governed by laws.

June 9, 2024
Minimum wage: NCPC calls for amicable resolution between govt, labour

…warns against retrenchment of workers

The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite has urged the federal government, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to consider a reasonable pay to solve the minimum wage crisis.

Adegbite advised labour to shun a situation where many workers especially in the private sector would be sacked due to high salary many employers of labour would not be able to sustain.

He gave the advice while briefing reporters in Abuja on Friday on the minimum wage saga and preparations by the commission for this year’s pilgrimage.

The NCPC boss said he no doubt that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun will do a good job of carrying out the directive of President Bola Tinubu on him to work out a template for a new minimum wage figure and analysis of the fiscal impact on the federal budget.

Adegbite said: “As you all know, we are in the middle of a minimum wage crisis which a few days ago, virtually grounded socio-economic activities across the country to a halt until good reason prevailed and a one-week suspension was worked out.

Read Also: BREAKING: Governors reject N60,000 minimum wage

“I commend the Organized Labour for heeding the call by well meaning Nigerians to suspend the nationwide strike and also appreciate the Federal government for shifting ground from its earlier stance of N60,000 new national minimum wage.

“Now as all the parties begin a fresh round of negotiations with N60,000 as ground zero, I have some advice for the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) as well as government negotiators.

“As much as the Federal government has ruled out Labour’s previous demand of N494,000 minimum wage and committed itself to going over N60,000, all the parties should spare a thought for Private sector players who are the largest bloc of employers in the country.

“The Organised Private Sector had earlier in the minimum wage negotiation made an offer of N57,000 which it said is what it could offer when it considered other variables. We do not want a situation where some of these people will have to downsize or retrench workers en masse in order to pay salaries that are above their limit.

“As for the states, one of the national newspapers recently reported that over 15 states have been unable to pay the old N30,000 minimum wage which expired a few weeks ago. We wonder if Organised Labour was aware of this all these years. And if so, what did they do about it? And how are we to know that the subnationals are ready to pay above N60,000 for their least paid workers?

“But we are also aware that distributable revenue from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) is now quite high to the extent that what was shared among all tiers of government in April 2024 was N1.2tn compared to N655bn exactly one year ago.

“So in our view, the subnationals have more funds for developmental projects than ever before but will also keep their eyes on the ongoing national minimum wage negotiations. So our prayer is that both sides should reach an understanding on a minimum wage structure that will be acceptable to all the parties involved without causing more problems in the system”.

Adegbite said many Nigerians have been hard hit by the effect of fuel subsidy removal as well as the unification of foreign exchange rates but we also join the President in soliciting for understanding while the government continues to take steps to reduce the burden on the people.

He said there can’t be quick fixes to the country’s economic problem, adding that: “and we acknowledge that the federal government has worked out a number of initiatives but we want to use this opportunity to call on the authorities to speed up the process of ameliorating the hardship”.

The NCPC advised the subnationals to support the Federal Government with initiatives in their states especially now that many states are getting almost double what they were receiving from the federation account.

On the 2024 pilgrimage to Israel, he said the NCPC recently convened a 7-day retreat/pre-visit for special pilgrimage leaders, managers and other stakeholders in Nazareth, Israel with the theme: Enriching Christian Pilgrimage Experience for Satisfaction.

He assured of the safety of pilgrims while in Israel, adding that there is no more crisis.

June 7, 2024
Redirect focus to providing living wage for workers, Reps tell FG, Labour

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 5, asked the government to redirect the focus of the negotiations with organised labour from fixing a new minimum wage for workers to fixing a realistic living wage for Nigerians.

The House, however, condemned in strong terms, the action of organised Labour in shutting down the national grid, saying the labour centres went beyond the boundaries of the law to engage in the action of sabotage.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance brought by the Minority Whip of the House, Ali Is a (PDP, Gombe), the House also asked the government to immediately address issues raised by organised labour by considering a downward review of the electricity tariff.

Leading the debate on the bill, Hon. Isa Ali spoke about the global economic outlook as well as recent socio-economic policies of the government that have resulted in inflation, increase in electricity tariff, currency devaluation and other diverse economic consequences, especially for Nigerian workers.

He recalled that the government has been locked in negotiations with labour unions towards the upward review of the Minimum Wage for some time, without any agreement, leading to a recent interruption in the negotiations.

While commending the government for showing absolute commitment by imploring the labour unions to return to the negotiation table, he argued that the existing national minimum wage expired in April 2024, requiring a review.

Read Also: JUST IN: Labour leaders re-open Oyo govt Secretariat gate

He said that the implication of payment of N35,000 wage award by the Federal Government to public servants as one of the ways of cushioning the effects of current economic hardship, including the May 1st pronouncement of percentage increases in salaries of civil servants has for the time being, increased the minimum wage to about N75, 000

He said there was a need to fix a living wage for Nigerians to cushion the effects of the economic downturn and activate productivity in the public service:

He however expressed concern about the procedures adopted by organised labour in executing the recent strike action through the shutting down of the national grid which he said led to the loss of several lives.

In his contribution, the minority leader of the House said while Nigerians support the need to have a living wage for workers as part of efforts to address insecurity in the country, the labour unions must be circumspect in how they go about their agitation.

He said the government must not shy away from the need to have a living wage for workers while tackling the issue of minimum wage.

He said in embarking on strike, labour leaders must not overstep their boundaries, adding that it is out of place to be fighting a good course, using the wrong procedures

Hon. Stanley Olajide (PDP, Oyo) said the action of organised labour in shutting down the national grid should be criminalised, saying, “Shutting down the national grid is killing the people you seek to protect. You cannot be agitating and killing people.”

Chief Whip of the House, Usman Bello Kumo said those involved in the issue of minimum wage negotiations should be guided by the laws of the land, adding that for you to negotiate, there must be a country.

Hon. Babajimi Benson drew attention to the fact that public sector workers were not the only workers in Nigeria, adding that at the end of the negotiations, only about 13 percent of workers in the country would benefit from the outcome.

He said the majority of private sector operators who are SMEs may not be able to afford whatever will be arrived at hence the need to carry them along in the ongoing negotiation process.

However, George Ibezimako Ozodinobi advocates that the cost of a bag of rice in the market should be the benchmark for arriving at a living wage for workers.

June 5, 2024
Activist to Labour: seek improved purchasing power, not bogus wage

A socio-political activist and critic, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to demand better welfare packages from the government and private employers of labour instead of asking for what he called bogus minimum wages.

Onitiri gave the advice amidst the ongoing minimum wage dispute between the organised labour and the Federal Government, leading to a nationwide strike that started on Monday.

Read Also: Minimum wage: Tinubu directs Edun to come up with cost implications in 48 hours

In a statement in Lagos, the activist said it would be foolhardy for labour leaders to assume that the government would agree to pay N600,000 as minimum wage.

Onitiri said such a wage would cause more inflation and worsen the economic situation.

June 5, 2024
House of Reps attacks Labour leaders
- Stop spreading rumour about lawmakers’ pay
- Shutting down power grid an economic sabotage
The House of Representatives yesterday cautioned organised Labour against feeding the public with information about the earnings of members of the National Assembly.

It warned such acts could stoke public resentment against lawmakers and undermine the credibility of the legislature.

The House also picked holes in the handling of the suspended industrial action by union leaders, describing the shutting down of the national grid as an act of economic sabotage.

In a statement by its spokesman Akin Rotimi, the House said those responsible for sabotaging the nation’s economy should be brought to justice.

Insisting that the parliament supports the clamour for a living wage for workers, the statement warned against raising salaries beyond what the economy can accommodate to guard against untold consequences.

The statement reads: “The House of Representatives acknowledges the recent industrial action undertaken by the NLC and the TUC due to the breakdown in negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

“The People’s House is pleased to note that the strike action has been suspended for one week to allow for further negotiation.

“During this period, as we have previously demonstrated, the People’s House remains responsive and committed to actively engaging all stakeholders to resolve the issues in the best interest of Nigerians.

“House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen has consistently advocated a living wage and better working conditions for workers.

“At various fora, he has emphasised the importance of addressing key national priorities, including the state of the economy and insecurity, through legislative action.

“While the Green Chamber is in full support of the call for improved wages and working conditions, there is a great need to exercise caution in increasing the minimum wage beyond what our economy can sustain, to avoid unintended outcomes such as inflation, layoffs, and other adverse economic consequences.

“Thus, we restate the importance of approaching this issue from a balanced perspective to ensure long-term stability and prosperity for all.

“In the same vein, we observed with concern, the direction of the strike action before its suspension, and what it portends for the future.

“Importantly, the shutdown of critical infrastructure, such as the national grid, constitutes economic sabotage and is detrimental to the well-being of our country. Those responsible for these actions must be held accountable.

“We also find it troubling that the leadership of Organised Labour, the majority of who live far above the means of the average Nigerian, would engage in actions that exacerbate the suffering of ordinary citizens.

“It is necessary, therefore, to state that while industrial actions and dissent are fundamental rights within our democratic space that must be protected, the manner in which Labour conducted itself during the just-suspended strike, largely shows a lack of empathy for Nigerians.

“Is the objective of the leadership of the unions to compel the government to implement a living wage or to inflict pain on Nigerians?

“Additionally, it is important to address persistent misinformation and disinformation propagated by organised Labour leadership regarding the earnings of lawmakers.

Read Also: Minimum wage: Tinubu directs Edun to come up with cost implications in 48 hours

“This is especially because organised Labour has for years, contributed to false narratives about the remuneration of members of the National Assembly, exaggerating figures to stoke public resentment and undermine the credibility of the Legislature.

“This tactic diverts attention from the core issues at stake and unfairly vilifies the institution of parliament. It is crucial for all parties to engage in an honest and transparent dialogue rather than resorting to the spread of inaccuracies for political leverage.

“Contrary to the insinuations of the Labour leadership through its social media platforms, the Legislature is on the side of Nigerians and will continue to act in the best interest of our constituents – giving meaning to their mandate.

“The 10th House of Representatives is committed to strengthening relevant legislation to ensure that essential services remain operational during future industrial actions, thereby protecting the lives and well-being of all.

“We urge the leadership of organised Labour to return to the negotiation table and engage other stakeholders, in good faith, with a view to achieving a balanced and sustainable outcome.

“The House remains steadfast in our commitment to the well-being of the Nigerian worker and the overall development of our country.”
June 5, 2024
Why we suspended nationwide strike for one week, by Labour

The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and Trade Union Congress(TUC) have agreed to suspend its nationwide strike to allow the Federal Government commit to a concrete and acceptable national minimum wage.

The two labour centres took the decision at the end of an emergency National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.

The Federal Government team agreed to raise the N60, 000 minimum wage offer after a meeting with Labour on Tuesday.

In a communique signed by Presidents of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero and Comrade Festus Osifo, labour said it suspended the nationwide strike in order to create the right ambience for negotiation to continue unhindered.

On Monday, labour called out its affiliates and state councils for a nationwide strike after a breakdown in talks over a new national minimum wage with the tripartite committee set up by the Federal Government.

The nationwide strike crippled economic activities.

The communique reads: “The NEC in session resolved that there is a greater need to create the right ambience for negotiation to continue unhindered. The indefinite nationwide strike action is therefore relaxed for One Week from today to allow the Federal Government commit to a concrete and acceptable National Minimum Wage; take definitive steps to reverse the electricity tariff hike back to N66/kwh and abolish the discriminatory classification of electricity consumers into Bands.

Read Also: Umahi condemns destruction of 2nd Niger bridge superstructure

“The NLC and TUC National Leadership are mandated to continue to maintain open channels of communication with the Federal Government to negotiate and secure favourable outcomes for Nigerian workers and people.

“All affiliate unions and State Councils are therefore directed to Relax the indefinite nationwide strike and return to their respective workplaces immediately.

“The NEC-in-Session expresses profound gratitude to Nigerian workers and the general public for their unwavering support and solidarity in this critical struggle for improved living and working conditions.

“The NLC and TUC remain committed to pursuing all necessary actions to protect the rights and welfare of all Nigerian people and workers as we urge all to await further directives while the negotiation continues.”

June 4, 2024
Labour throws nation into darkness on day one of stalled wage talks strike

Organised Labour threw the nation into darkness after shutting down the national grid in the wee hours of yesterday.

It was the first day of the indefinite strike it called to protest the stalled talks on minimum wage.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced on Friday a “total indefinite strike” over the failure of the Tripartite Committee to agree on a new minimum wage.

The government offered N60,000, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) stood at N57,000 while Labour is asking for N494,000.

Local flights were prevented from taking off at airports in Lagos and Abuja.

Many passengers were stranded at the airports, prompting airlines to issue advisories on the next line of action.

Workers were prevented from entering their offices at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, the National Assembly and some other government offices.

Courts were shut in the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country.

In Lagos, the gates of the state secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja were shut to prevent willing workers from accessing the facility.

Those who found their way in were chased out by strike enforcers.

It was a mixed grill in the health sector. While workers at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) shunned the strike, many patients were stranded in public hospitals in Abuja, following compliance with the action.

Many banks in Abuja did not open for business but some operated in Lagos, especially on Lagos Island.

The car park in Marina (Central Lagos) was filled, an indication that work was in full swing.

Traffic was normal in the commercial city with motorists and commuters going about unmolested.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), according to its spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, said the shutdown occurred at about 2.19 am on Monday.

She said: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in a blackout nationwide.

“The national grid shutdown occurred at about 2.19am this morning, 3rd June 2024.

“At about 1:15 am this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that all operators were driven away from the control room and that staff that resisted were beaten while some were wounded in the course of forcing them out of the control room and without any form of control or supervision, the Benin Area Control Center was brought to zero.

“Other transmission substations that were shut down by the labour union include the Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba and Osogbo Transmission Substations. Some transmission lines were equally opened due to the ongoing activities of the labour union.

“On the power generating side, power generating units from different generating stations were forced to shut down some units of their generating plants.

“The Jebba Generating Station was forced to shut down one of its generating units while three others in the same substation subsequently shut down on very high frequency.

“The sudden forced load cuts led to high frequency and system instability, which eventually shut down the national grid at 2:19am.

“At about 3.23am, however, TCN commenced grid recovery, using the Shiroro Substation to attempt to feed the transmission lines supplying bulk electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. The situation is such that the labour union is still obstructing grid recovery nationwide.

“We will continue to make effort to recover and stabilise the grid to enable the restoration of normal bulk transmission of electricity to distribution load centres nationwide.”

NLC, in a statement by its president Joe Ajaero, denied TCN’s allegations that it forcefully shut down the national grid.

He said in a statement: “One wonders whether TCN’s management needs education on the dynamics of industrial action.

“It is not true that anybody was manhandled by us in any TCN location.

“Maybe, TCN in its effort to scuttle the strike tried to force workers to be at work, not realising the resolve of all workers to stay away.

“Why would the grid not go down when the workers who operate them decide to withdraw their service?

“That is how it works and it further demonstrates that without workers, no wheel can turn; no work can take place anywhere.”

NLC said it would not be intimidated, adding that TCN was “trying to insult Nigerian workers by its deliberate peddling of falsehood.”

Govt, Labour back to negotiating table

The Federal Government and NLC returned to the negotiating table in a bid to resolve the logjam.

The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and eminent leaders have intervened in the labour crisis.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also made a passionate appeal to the labour leaders to embrace dialogue instead of paralysing the economy.

He said the government was looking at how to reduce the cost of living alongside an affordable minimum wage, adding that its doors are open for negotiation.

After about three hours of shuttles and diplomacy, all the parties went back to the negotiation table at about 4pm.

But before the resumption of negotiation, Idris briefed reporters in Abuja alongside the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Tope Ajayi

Idris reminded the labour unions that the new minimum wage is not only for public workers but also affects the private sector.

Read Also: Labour shuts down NPA, NRC other govt offices in Warri

He said the cost implications of a N494,000 minimum wage being demanded by labour could lead to job loss, especially in the private sector.

He appealed to the union to return to the negotiating table to fashion out a realistic and sustainable wage.

The minister said the government was bothered about the shutdown of critical infrastructure by the striking workers.

He said: “This is a heartfelt and deeply considered appeal to the Labour Unions to continue along the path of negotiations with the Federal and state governments under the auspices of the Tripartite Committee that has been established to fashion out a new, realistic minimum wage for the Nigerian people.

“As a government, we are desirous of a peaceful outcome, and we will do everything to make this happen.

“Yesterday, the leadership of the National Assembly met with the unions.

“The National Consumer Credit Scheme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) are additional significant demonstrations of a determination to bring relief to the people of Nigeria.

“We want the Labour unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that they fully deserve, will not come only in the form of increased wages.

“It will also come as efforts to reduce the cost of living, and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is firmly committed to doing what is right, reasonable and sustainable regarding these minimum wage negotiations.

“We call on the Labour unions to reciprocate this gesture in the interest of the nation.”

CAN urges peaceful resolution

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged the NLC and TUC to embrace dialogue in the interest of the nation.

CAN said the legitimate demands of the labour unions for a fair and adequate minimum wage are understandable and justified.

A statement by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh said: “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has viewed with great concern the ongoing strike action by the NLC and TUC over the minimum wage impasse and wishes to advise as follows.

“Nigerian workers deserve a living wage that meets their basic needs and ensures their well-being.

“At the same time, I am acutely aware of the devastating impact that this strike is having on our economy and the most vulnerable members of our society.

“The disruption of essential services and the economic strain on families are causing widespread distress and hardship.

“I strongly urge both the government and labour unions to return to the negotiating table with a renewed commitment to finding a mutually acceptable solution. It is crucial that we prioritise dialogue and compromise to resolve this impasse peacefully.

“The path to resolving this crisis lies in mutual respect and understanding, where both parties can work together to achieve a fair outcome”.

He appealed to the government to earnestly consider the plight of workers and take decisive action to implement a living wage.

Falana: NLC, TUC leaders breached no court order

Activist lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) rose in defence of NLC President Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart Festus Osifo.

He said the duo breached no law, disobeyed court orders nor breached the provisions of the Trade Disputes Act in any manner whatsoever and howsoever by calling workers out on strike.

Falana, who is counsel to the two Labour centres, stated this in his response to a letter addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

The lawyer insisted that Ajaero and Osifo did no wrong by participating in the ongoing strike.

Falana noted that the AGF, in his letter dated June 1, claimed that the ongoing industrial action by the two Labour centres for a new national minimum wage constitutes disobedience of the orders of the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal.

Falana said his clients had always given more than a 15-day notice of an industrial action or strike in line with the provisions of section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act.

He added: “But upon the receipt of the notice of the strike the Federal Government had always rushed to the National Industrial Court to procure an ex parte order to restrain workers from embarking on any form of strike or protest whatsoever.

“Even though the offices of the NLC and TUC and their counsel are a stone’s throw from the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Government has consistently procured ex-parte orders to stop strikes on the basis of self-induced urgency.

“Thus, the National Industrial Court has through the issuance of ex parte orders obliterated the right of Nigerian workers to participate in any strike contrary to the clear provisions of the Trade Union Act and Trade Disputes Act.

“Our clients have not committed any offence by participating in the ongoing strike and cited a decided case of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to support his arguments.

“In Suit No. NICN/ABJ/ 270/2022 between Federal Government & Anor vs. Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the National Industrial Court held that the penalty for embarking on industrial action in Nigeria is the forfeiture of salaries or wages during the duration of the strike.

“According to the presiding Judge, BB. Kanyip PNIC, all the provisions of the Trade Disputes Act permit the ‘no work, no pay’ rule; such that an employer is legally permitted not to pay strikers salaries or wages for the period of the strike they undertook.”

On alleged disobedience of court orders, Falana reminded the AGF of the pendency of the interim injunctive order granted on 5th June 2023 in SUIT NO: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR V. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR, which order restrained both NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action/or strike of any nature.

“With respect, the order does not refer to the ongoing strike emanating from the trade dispute over the new minimum wage.

“In any case, the case has been amicably resolved as parties and their counsel have signed the terms of settlement drawn up by your good self.

“As you are no doubt aware, the case of Federal Government v NLC has been resolved as the parties and their counsel have signed the terms of settlement drawn up by your good self.

“So, our clients cannot be accused of contravening the terms of the interim order of the National Industrial Court. Hence, the Federal Government has not filed any contempt proceedings against our clients in the National Industrial Court.”

“You also referred to the case of Oshiomole & Anor. v FGN (2004) LEPLR-5188(CA) and proceeded to give the impression that the Court of Appeal had prohibited workers from embarking on strike.

“With respect, that interpretation does not represent the decision of the Court of Appeal.

“Indeed, their Lordships unanimously upheld the right of workers to strike on matters arising from trade disputes. To that extent, our clients are on terra firma in leading the current industrial action over the new minimum wage.”

Falana recalled that the AGF once assured the nation’s trade unions that the Government would “continue to adopt a conciliatory approach to resolving matters pertaining to workers and citizens welfare in the spirit of collective bargaining.”

“On our part, we have advised our clients to cooperate with the members of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage in the ongoing negotiation meetings in the interest of industrial harmony in the country.

“While appreciating your intervention in the industrial action, we are compelled to advise the members of the Tripartite Committee to speed up the negotiations to enable our clients to call off the strike,” the letter stated.

June 4, 2024