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Tag: Nigeria Labour Congress

  • Strike notice: ULC is blackmailing FG to get registration – NLC, TUC

    Strike notice: ULC is blackmailing FG to get registration – NLC, TUC

    Organised Labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Friday accused the yet to be registered United Labour Congress (UCL) led by Joe Ajaero of blackmailing government into setting aside legal requirements to register them, and declare that only registered trade union and federations has the legal right to declare a strike.

    The NLC and the TUC said at a joint news conference in Abuja that the while the United Labour Congress which is yet to be registered has no legitimate right to call for a general strike, only the various unions have the right to call for a strike, adding that at the moment, none of the existing unions who are believed to be affiliates of the ULC have not declared any strike.

    Presidents of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and TUC, Bobboi Kaigama asked workers to disregard the strike called by the ULC saying it violates the Labour of the country, pointing out that the real intention of the promoters of the ULC was to compel government to register them as the Federation of Trade Unions.

    Wabba describe the ULC ultimatum as a mere attention seeking gimmick, adding that they have also resorted to an exercise intent on blackmail with the ultimate goal of using this weapon to obtain registration, we feel constrained to making the following comments on the unfolding situation.

    He said “despite listing twelve (12) demands in their 11th September press statement, we have no doubt that those behind the ultimatum were only hoping to blackmail the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to register their association as a central labour organisation, as they stated in their demand numbers 9-12..

    “We have no doubt the officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour would deal with the situation as the laws of the country governing labour relations are very clear on the procedure guiding registrations of Trade Unions and trade union centres.

    “Against the background of persistent mischief and dragging the names of our two centres to the mud by the promoters of the United Labour Congress, it has become pertinent to once again recall the events leading to their current desperation.”

    He said the promoters of the ULC have just collected forms for the registration of dozens of “shell trade unions or trade unions without membership”, adding that rather than wait to get registration, they just proclaimed their existence, perhaps because they know very well that by the extant laws-the Trade Union Act, and the Trade Union Amendment Act, there was no way they could get recognition and registration for the dozen or so “Shell Unions”.

    “These mushroom Unions were carried out of existing industrial unions. However, the Trade Unions Act CAP T14, LFN, 2004, Section 3 (2) provided that: “But no trade union shall be registered to represent workers or employers in a place, where there already exists a trade union”.

    “These fake Unions had not being registered, and would not be registered since all the areas have effective Union coverage presently that are affiliates of the NLC and TUC.

    “We had pointed out in our January 18th, 2017 letter to the Honourable Minister of the dangers posed by the activities of these erstwhile colleagues of ours, who rather than accept the decision of Nigerian workers to reject their leadership, are bent on creating anarchy in the industrial relations system in the country, by trying to register these mushroom and member-less Unions.

    “In the same letter, we had drawn attention to the fact that under the 2005 amendment to the section 34 of the Principal Act, it was clearly stated that a (new) federation of trade union(s) may be registered if (a) I (b): “it is made up of 12 or more trade unions, none of which shall have been a member of another registered federation of trade unions”.

    “The main promoters of the so-called new federation are individuals from NUEE and NUPENG both are affiliates of the NLC. By the extant law as passed just some years ago, they cannot form another federation.”

    On his part, TUC President, Kaigama said the Labour laws of the federation is very clear that un-registered trade unions and federation(s) are prohibited from functioning. Under this section, a federation of trade unions shall not come into existence until it is registered.

    He said “Our erstwhile colleagues are therefore trying to take advantage of the unstable security and industrial relation situation in the country to increase the tension and give bad name to trade unionism. 

    “Nigerians need to know that they are not a legitimate organisation recognised by the laws of our country. They are largely a collection of individuals who find it difficult to accept the will of Nigerian workers, as very clearly demonstrated during the March 12-13 2015 election that took place at the Eagle Square, Abuja in which they were roundly defeated.

    “We wish to state without equivocation that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has acted within the confines of the law by not registering ULC and the phantom Unions they put forward.. No unregistered organisations or individuals can hold our dear country to ransom.

    “We urge the Federal Ministry of Labour and workers to discountenance the threats of this illegal association. The ministry must be steadfast in upholding the laws governing trade union practice in the country.”

  • Buhari: Address threats to national sovereignty now – NLC

    Buhari: Address threats to national sovereignty now – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to take immediate steps to address issues that are beginning to threaten the nation’s existence in the collective interest and unity of the country.

    The congress also said that those threatening the nation’s integrity, nationhood and sovereignty should be apprehended and tried in accordance with extant national laws and international conventions without taking any further steps that will create another mayhem like is currently being experienced in the north east.

    It also asked the military high command to retrain its officers and men on contemporary ways of handling security challenges under a constitutional governance, saying the military must desist from doing anything that provokes situations that ultimately strengthen the cause, capacities and popularity of the advocates of disunity and inter-ethnic strife in the country.

    Reacting to current security situation across the country which has heightened tension across the country, leading to curfew in some major cities, President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the unity of Nigeria has been the collective strength of the people, stressing that no part of the country can develop without the other, even on the terms and principles of the subsisting world socio economic order.

    Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the recent attack on Journalists performing their legitimate duties in Umuahia by armed military personnel was unacceptable and highly provocative, adding that although the Nigeria Army has issued a public statement to apologise to the NUJ and the affected journalists while promising to investigate the incident and ultimately discipline the military personnel involved, we advise that the military high command should re-train its officers and men on contemporary ways of handling security challenges in a country under constitutional governance.

    The statement reads: “We have watched with absolute concern, the ongoing skirmishes in some parts of the country where there have been growing trends of agitations that are now clearly leading to inter-ethnic attacks in both physical and verbal terms resulting in the deployment of military and other security personnel and curfews in two major cities in Abia and Plateau states.

    “For us, as a pan Nigerian organisation, we have always emphasised the need for peace as a very important item on the table of anyone, organisation or individual interested in the development of the entire country or any part of the country because whatever has led to underdevelopment or decelerated our collective development as a country or community or region could be anything but ethnic revulsion.

    “As far as we are concerned, our country’s state of underdevelopment has been occasioned by lack of good governance for which several past governments can be held responsible. No part of the country has deliberately been underdeveloped by any government based on ethnic hatred or anti region dispositions.

    “Indeed, as it is clear, most problems in the states are caused mainly by the attitude of the various state governments who receive allocations for infrastructural development of communities in the states and payment of salaries but chose to divert such allocations to other uses or embezzle such funds with impunity. 

    “There can be no other threat to the lives of the citizens than when workers are denied access to food and qualitative life through non-payment of salaries for months. Those driving the causes that has led to the prevailing challenges are yet to confront their state governors on this.

    “We have had several quarterly national dialogues as a labour centre and a major stakeholder on the promotion of peace, security and national development of our country; and have concluded that the challenges we have that has now become references for the advancement of ethnic or regional agitations directed towards disunity and promotion of inter-ethnic discord, including violent attacks and threats is the absence of productive employment, depleting industrial growth, near collapse of major infrastructures among others. 

    “And every part of the country suffer these and the impact do not differ in regional or ethnic terms. It is therefore unfortunate that some individuals across the country has chosen to use these collective deprivations to advance causes that indeed counter their aspiration for development.

    “The unity of Nigeria has been our collective strength as a people and no part of Nigeria can develop without the other, even on the terms and principles of the subsisting world socio economic order.

    “While we applaud the Federal Government for the steps taken so far by security agencies to secure lives and properties of all Nigerians in all parts of the country, it is important that the agencies, including the military should not act in any manners that provokes situations that ultimately strengthen the cause, capacities and popularity of the advocates of disunity and inter-ethnic strife.

    “It is unaccepted that journalists carrying out their legitimate functions can be so dastardly attacked as has been reported of the incident in Umuahia during a security operation by the Nigeria Army. 

    “It is the duty of journalists to report, including taking pictures, audio and video recording of incidents anywhere in the country as part of their professional calling. The attacks on them, especially at the secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Umuahia is not only unacceptable, but unnecessarily provocative. 

    “Although the Nigeria Army has issued a public statement to apologise to the NUJ and the affected journalists while promising to investigate the incident and ultimately discipline the military personnel involved, we advise that the military high command should re-train its officers and men on contemporary ways of handling security challenges in a country under constitutional governance.

    “We also advice the federal government to handle the ongoing agitations, which is fast developing into unimaginable inter-ethnic violence that is spreading to some parts of the country as has been reported of Jos in Plateau state, Port Harcourt in River State, Aba and Umuahia in Abia State with utmost dexterity in the interest of peace, unity and collective interest of the entire country and her citizens.

    “The governors as chief security officers of their states must be made to take responsibilities for the growing security challenges that ultimately threatens our collective interests and unity as Nigerians.

    “Our governments, and indeed none of us as individual or corporate citizens should allow the current situation degenerate any further. Culprits of threats to our national integrity, nationhood and sovereignty must be apprehended and tried in accordance with extant national laws and international conventions without taking any further steps that will create another mayhem as we have been contending with in the north east.”

  • NLC to name, shame Govs not using Paris Club refund well

    NLC to name, shame Govs not using Paris Club refund well

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said on Tuesday that it was prepared name and shame state governors who failed to utilize the Paris Club refund for the purpose it was meant for, insisting that the President demand the state governors to account for the money before any further release is made to them.

    Reacting to a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari accusing the governor of misdirecting the Paris Club refund, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said it was unfortunate that despite their promises to use the money to pay workers salaries and pension, the governors have refused to live by their words.

    He said that some of the state governors have even refused to disclose how much they received and how it was utilized, pointing out that the Chairman of the Governors Forum who made a commitment on behalf of his colleague has, himself not utilize the money judiciously.

    Wabba said the President was actually reacting to its letter asking him not to approve the release of the third and last tranche of the fund to the governors until they account for what they have received. 

    He said: “It is our letter he was reacting to. At our CWC meeting, we called on him not to release the last tranche of the Paris Club refund  to the states because the governors have not kept their word. 

    “You remember that Chairman of the Governors Forum alluded to the fact that they are committed to using the money to address the issue of liability of pension and salaries. Unfortunately, the Chairman of the Governors Forum has not lived up to those words. 

    “As you are aware, our workers in Zamfara have shut down the state. He himself that ,are the pronouncement could not honoured the words that he pronounced on behalf of his colleagues. That is to show the level of deceit that is actually in the system and that is why we decided to write to the President to ensure that, there is a level of accountability to show that he is actually on the same page with the governors. 

    “Before the second tranche was released, they made commitments and used the payment of workers salaries and pensions as a bait to get the President to approve and get the money across to them. But immediately they got the money, majority of them diverted the money. Right now, we have a standard data as to what the situation is in all states of the Federation.

    “Let me make the point that some has actually judiciously untilise their own, but states like Ekiti, Kogi, Benue, Zamafara among is even refused to make available how. Ugh they received. 

    “You remember what happened at the Kogi state House of Assembly where a member raised a motion to demand accountability on the issue of the Paris Club refund and that resulted in the chaos we witnessed in the Assembly. That member had his head broken and the Speaker removed. That is the level of decay that is prevailing in some of those states.

    “It means that Mr President is in touch with the real issues that is happening in every state. The fact that he is aware that some of the governors have not utilized the money in the direction that he appealed to them means that he is aware of what is happening.

    “So, I think that going forward, we must demand for accountability. We are also aware that a lot of information is already in the public domain where a lot of them resorted to the use of consultants. 

    “We learnt that about 5 percent was deducted from source and used for the payment of consultants which eventually ended up in peoples pocket. We are also aware of those that diverted the money to build hotels and pay mortgages. It is really a bad situation. 

    “If we must fight corruption, those issues are issues that we must follow up and fight the, to their logical conclusion. Having made that pronouncement, I think k he should be commended, but we must also demand accountability from these people.

    “In some of the states, our members used the freedom of information act to demand how these money were utilized, but there has been no responses and I think that is most unfortunate. We have records of those states. We have also promised that we are going to name and shame those states that has not adequately utilized the bail out. 

    “We are working on the data and once they are ready, we will make the, available and we are going to engage states that has not transparently utilized the bail out fund for the purpose that it was meant for and for the benefit of their people. That is where we are now and it is not a good situation at all and that is why the situation of workers have not improved. 

    “Despite the fact that some efforts have gone in, the situation of workers have not I proved because there has been no transparency in some states in the utilization of those funds. Let me emphasized that some states have done extremely well and we are going to point this out very clearly.”

  • Zamfara workers begin indefinite strike

    Zamfara workers begin indefinite strike

    Workers under the employment of  Zamfara government on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike for the failure of the government to meet their several demands.

    The workers had earlier given the government a 21-day ultimatum to meet certain demands or face industrial action.

    The Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state,  Bashir Mafara, announced the decision after  a joint meeting of the affiliated unions in Gusau.

    He said, Zamfara workers were faced with a number of problems which include failure to pay the salaries of 1,400 recruited by the government more than two years ago, non payment of backlog of pension and gratuities, non payment of minimum wage to primary school teachers and local government employees as well as non payment of  annual salary increment.

    He said the two labour unions, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, had  decided to declare an indefinite industrial action throughout the state from Sept. 12.

    Mafara urged all workers to stay at home and pray.

    The chairman said three  ad hoc committees have been constituted to ensure the success of the strike.

    He  also called of understanding among the workers in the state noting that, the action was aimed at improving the workers’ welfare and development of the state.

  • Zamfara NLC to begin strike on Monday

    Zamfara NLC to begin strike on Monday

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Zamfara Chapter, said that the union would embark on a total strike on Monday following the expiration of a three-week ultimatum given to the state government by the association

    The Chairman NLC, Zamfara Chapter, Mr Bashir Mafara, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Gusau.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the NLC had given the state government three weeks ultimatum to address the problems of workers in the state.

    NAN reports that parts of the workers grievances with the state government include the non implementation of workers annual increments, promotion and the non-payment of 1, 400 newly recruited staff recruited more than over three years ago.

    Other issues according to the NLC, is that refusal of the government to implement minimum wage for local government staff and primary school teachers as well as non- payment of pensioners’ gratuities.

    The NLC said it was worrisome that primary school teachers and local government workers in Zamfara state were still receiving between N7,500 and N8,000 as monthly salary.

    The NLC chairman said that the union have been having consultations with the government officials, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Abdullahi Shinkafi on how to resolve the issues.

    He said that the government had failed to meet up with any of the agreement reached between the workers and the state government.

    “Therefore, we are starting the strike tomorrow, Monday as announced three weeks ago.

    “We have already announced that all the representatives of the NLC affiliated unions should meet tomorrow at NLC Secretariat by 10.00 am to mark the commencement of the strike”, he said.

    Mafara, therefore, urged all  workers to stay away from their places of works from tomorrow until the problems were addressed by the government.

    NAN also recalls that the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara had earlier told journalists that the 21-day ultimatum was uncalled for.

    Dosara maintained that Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari had since directed the labour leaders in the state to come up with an authentic lists of workers under the state government payroll without which the state government would not implement their demands. (NAN)

  • Why we agitate for Autonomy – NULGE President

    Why we agitate for Autonomy – NULGE President

    The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Wednesday said the aim of the agitation for local government autonomy is to free the third tier of government from the control of state governments.

    It’s National President, Ibrahim Khaleel said, if the autonomy is granted by the States Houses of Assembly, it will benefit not only them, but all Nigerians.

    Khaleel who led NULGE members to the Ondo House of Assembly urged members of the hallow chamber to support the passage of the bill whenever it is transmitted to them from the National Assembly.

    The NULGE boss who was represented by the National Publicity Secretary of the union, Comrade Emmanuel Fashe, said granting autonomy to the local government will further strengthen democracy in the country.

    According to him, “If you want to curb insecurity, we need autonomy. If we want employment for our teaming youths, vote yes to autonomy. God has placed you in this today so that your name could be among of those who voted for the freedom of local government. We want you to be part of history this time. ”

    NULGE members across the state, had on converged on Akure, the state capital, to throw their weight behind local government autonomy in the country.

    Members of the union across the 18 local government areas of the state moved around the state capital in their thousands.

    Marched through Oyemekun road, through Arakale road, displaying placards with various inscriptions as they sang solidarity songs to press home their demands before heading to the state House of Assembly complex.

    The rally which was supported by leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Judiciary Staff of Nigeria (JUSUN) was organised to lobby the lawmakers at the state Assembly for the smooth passage of the bill.

    The NLC President, Ayuba Waba represented by Ondo state chairman, comrade Bosede Daramola who noted that the agitations for the local government economy had been on for decades and nearly actualised some years ago but was aborted midway, said labour movement in the country was fully in support of the local government autonomy.

    Ondo state NULGE President, Dr Bunmi Eniayewu insisted that the local government autonomy will aid rapid development and bring about continuous capacity building for effective leadership, hoping that the lawmakers would approve the autonomy in the constitution amendment.

    The Speaker, State Assembly, David Oleyelogun, commended the NULGE leadership and stressed the need for a functional local government system.

    Oleyelogun who was represented by Chairman House Committee on Information, Olamide George said, “We have listened to you, and what is important to us is to support your agitation.”

  • London-Paris Club loan: Abia committee concludes disbursement plan

    The committee set up by the Abia State Government to ensure equitable distribution of the over N5 billion second tranche of the London-Paris Club loan allotted to the state by the federal government has concluded arrangements on how the money would be shared among workers in the state.

    A member of the committee and state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Chief Uchenna Obigwe in an interview with our correspondent in Aba stated that the committee concluded its work on Monday.

    Obigwe, who thanked the state governor Okezie Ikpeazu for allowing the committee to do their work without any interference, stated that the committee did their job without any bias.

    Giving a breakdown on how the money was shared amongst workers in the state, the NLC chairman stated that the sum of N220m was giving to Abia State Polytechnic, N2,279,045,845.70  was for MDA’s, N792m for the payment of two months arrears for State Pensioners, N751m for payment of Pensioners at the Local Government, Secondary School Teachers got N912m  for 3months salary arrears, Abia College of Education Technical, Arochukwu got N24m for one month arrears of salary out of 7 months that they were being owed.

    Others include Hospital Management Board got N130m (for two months salary), Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABUSTH) got N290m, Abia State University got N200m, N864m was for the payment of 2months arrears of salary of Primary School Teachers, N1,796,723,533.76 was payment for 2months arrears of Local Government Staff.

    College of Health Science, Aba and Abia State Universal Basic Education Board got N10M and N22m each. Retirees from ABSUTH got N10m as well. The sum of N17.396m was for the severance allowance of Judges while Abia Newspapers got N6.3m to pay one month salary.

    Staffers of Community Social Development Project (CSDP) and Project Implementation Unit (PIU) which the NLC chair said were not government scheduled establishments got N14m and N480m respectively while the sum of N285,788,293.57 was 5% provision for consultancy.

    The State Labour chairman further added that Abia State Polytechnic Aba has as at the time of the interview gotten alert of N90m for one month subvention and promised that he would ensure that the institution gets its money in full.

    “FAC may drop before Friday and it is expected that workers would get their salaries as soon as the FAC drops. The only people that may have to wait for a while is Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB) staff because of the ongoing verification exercise being carried out by the state government and soon as they (SEMB) are done with the verification, at least by next week, they will get their salaries. That’s if everything should go as planned,” Obigwe explained.

  • Bello appeals to lecturers to resume work, promises to address all issues

    Bello appeals to lecturers to resume work, promises to address all issues

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has appealed to lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions to call off their ongoing industrial action.

    Bello made the appeal in Minna during a meeting with the state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Madugu, and Prof. Muhammad Maiturare, Chairman, Governing Board, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University.

    The governor gave an assurance that pending issues concerning the demands of the lecturers would be addressed immediately.

    He said that the Head of Service and the affected ministries would meet with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress to address pending issues.

    He noted that the industrial action by the academic staff of state-owned institutions was not healthy for the state and future generation.

    Similarly, Madugu also appealed to the affected workers to return to work because the state government was committed to meeting their demands.

    “The governor is very passionate about education and committed to meeting the demands of the striking workers.

    “We have a responsible and a responsive governor; I am appealing to our striking workers to call off their action and return to work.”

    Maiturare also urged the state government to resolve all pending issues for immediate resumption of academic activities in the state.

  • Sovereignty of Nigeria not negotiable -Labour

    Sovereignty of Nigeria not negotiable -Labour

    Organised Labour Movement in the country has urged Nigerians to stand up with one voice and fight those promoting division on the basis of primordial affinity in the country.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) gave the advise at a news conference jointly addressed by the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) and Civil Society Allies on the state of the nation in Abuja.

    Wabba said it was to make their positions clear in unequivocal terms on the unity and sovereignty of Nigeria on the drum beats of war in the country.

    “You have been witnesses to the degeneration of the national conversation into threats and counter-threats; pulling down the federation by some desperate forces and which are being conveyed in vile and base language.

    “These persistent hot exchange and attacks tend to threaten the foundation and integrity of our sovereignty and unity.

    “These do not represent the true feelings of patriotic Nigerians for one another.

    “Rather, they symbolise the intensity of greed, implacable arrogance, and desperation of the elites, some of whom have been sponsoring the hate campaigns that can only lead to the disintegration of our dear nation.

    “Thus, those fanning the embers of disunity needs to be discouraged and schooled on the realities of war, we appeal to all Nigerians,” he said.

    He, therefore, called on Nigerian workers, pensioners and peasants not to allow themselves to be used as cannon folders for the selfish interest.

    Wabba said that over the decades, labour had stood for “one Nigeria” and still committed to the values of the founding fathers.

    He said that the labour movement was determined to stop those throwing the nation to another avoidable civil war.

    He further decried the escalating social and economic injustice, poor living conditions of people, inability of several states government to pay living wage or even ensure the payment of salaries as and when due.

    The labour leader listed others as massive unemployment, lack of productivity as a result of de-industrialisation, galloping inflation, devaluation of the currency among others.

    “We should therefore look at positive options, peaceful, rigorous and altruistic of reforming the system.

    “We will continue to underscore the need for good governance in our country as a basis for any realistic development and eventual emancipation of our people.

    “As the issues in contention can be resolved through good governance, sustainable and transparent fight against corruption and addressing inequities and injustice in the system,” he said.

    Also, the TUC president, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, while speaking on true federalism, called for the accountability of the electorate in the country.

    Kaigama called on government to set up a strong think-tank to look at the 2014 National Conference report as it was vital for development and stability of the country.

    He noted that the current government only had 30 per cent participation in the National Conference and that the report should not be abandoned.

    Speaking, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) called on Nigerians to look at the things that bind them together and not things that will separate them.

    Falana said that there was no nation without challenges and problems, but the ability of the country to overcome the challenges remain the main issue.

    On the issue of restructuring, `We cannot be having political restructuring without economy restructuring. “If you are talking about restructuring, you cannot be selling the assets of the country to individuals.

    “Those who are talking about restructuring are not interested in the Chapter 2, of the Constitution, which is the fundamental objective that states shall be made justifiable towards the right to education.

    “The right to health, the right to unemployment benefits and the right to a living wage and we must remind them to address these social services of our people,” he added.

  • Workers running out of patience with FG over new minimum wage – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has warned that workers were running out of patience with the Federal Government over delay in negotiation of a new minimum wage.

    NAN reports that the Nigeria’s current minimum wage is N18,000 with organised labour asking it be increased to at least N50,000

    Mr Ahmed Olayinka, Chairman, TUC, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter said while speaking during an awareness rally on the forthcoming International Workers, Day celebration slated for May 1, in Abuja.

    He warned that the workers cannot wait indefinitely for government; adding that in view of the hardship been experienced by Nigerian workers as a result of economic recession, the government should fast-track the implementation of the proposed new minimum wage.

    “We in the labour union and the entire Nigerian workers are losing our temper, the government must do something fast, because prices of things have skyrocket in the market.

    “The common man cannot afford the basic needs of life and workers now pay double of what they used to buy in the market’’.

    He said that the labour union was in support of the anti corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari and would do anything to expose corrupt officials.

    Olayinka said that the Labour union had always been in support of good governance, adding that it was aware that corruption was fighting back and it would support the government to tame the tide.

    “Corruption is fighting back and we are on the same page with the government, but the only thing we are asking for is a review of the minimum wage because N18, 000.00 can no longer take care of us.”

    Also speaking, Comrade Amaechi Lawrence, Chairman FCT Chapter, Nigeria Labour Congress said that the union embarked on a road show to sensitise Nigerians on the workers day celebration

    He urged Nigerians workers, including market women and men to come out on the May Day to celebrate workers, adding that those in the FCT should converge on the Eagle square.

    Lawrence said that the NLC would continue to sensitise Nigerians against corruption, while calling on the government to quickly review workers wage because the N18, 000.00 minimum wage was grossly inadequate.

    Comrade James Imoyera, Assistant General Secretary, NLC urged Nigerian workers to come out en-mass to celebrate workers day.

    He said that workers needed to put the country on the path of progress, adding that Nigerian workers had been agitating for a review of minimum wage because they were the one creating the wealth.

    NAN reports that on March 6, 2011, former president Goodluck Jonathan signed the N18,000 National Minimum Wage into law.

    The new wage law states that once an employer in the public or private sector has a workforce of about 50 persons, he or she is bound by the law to pay a minimum wage of N18,000.

    The signing of the law increased the national minimum wage across the country from N7, 500 to N18,000 per month.