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Tag: Nigeria Labour Congress

  • NLC tasks African leaders on challenges of climate change

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked governments in Africa and beyond to be alive to the challenges posed by climate change, especially with regards to making provisions for climatic early warning systems and robust architecture of rescue initiatives-cum-resources to deal with disasters of this nature.

    In a statement signed by Acting President, Comrade Najeem Yasin, the congress regretted the cyclone that ravaged four African countries of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar, leaving several people dead

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expresses its deeply felt grief and commiseration with the workers and people of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar affected by the horrendous landfall of Cyclone Idai.

    “It is really tragic that this climatic and environmental disaster has left in its wake death in hundreds, thousands of displaced persons and largescale destruction and disruptions of public infrastructure, social facilities, property and livelihood. In Beira, the second largest city in Mozambique, Cyclone Idai left its most devastating footprints as it is estimated that nearly 90% of the city has been destroyed.

    “Similar waves of destruction impacted other cities and communities in different parts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar where Cyclone Idai bared its monstrous fangs.

    “We wish to commend the resilience of those in the affected communities. We salute the efforts of the governments of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar in scrambling rescue resources it could avail as a first line response to the victims. We also appreciate the intervention of multilateral institutions and aid organizations both local and international for coming to the rescue of the people of Southern Africa hit by this calamitous disaster.

    “As devastating and painful as Cyclone Idai is, it affords all of us a moment of quiet reflection. Climate Change is real! We can only mitigate and adapt to its realities. The NLC calls on all governments in Africa and beyond to be alive to the challenge posed by Climate Change especially with regards to making provisions for climatic early warning systems and robust architecture of rescue initiatives cum resources to deal with disasters of this nature.

    “We pray for the repose of the souls of those that died. We ask that God will grant fortitude to bereaved families, give strength to those whose loved ones are still missing or injured and imbue resilience in those experiencing great discomfort as occasioned by this natural disaster.”

  • NLC to African leaders: be alive to challenges of climate change

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked governments in Africa and beyond to be alive to the challenge posed by Climate Change especially with regards to making provisions for climatic early warning systems and robust architecture of rescue initiatives cum resources to deal with disasters of this nature.

    In a statement by Acting President, Comrade Najeem Yasin, the Congress regretted the cyclone that ravaged four African countries of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar, leaving several people dead

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expresses its deeply felt grief and commiseration with the workers and people of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar affected by the horrendous landfall of Cyclone Idai.

    “It is really tragic that this climatic and environmental disaster has left in its wake death in hundreds, thousands of displaced persons and large scale destruction and disruptions of public infrastructure, social facilities, property and livelihood. In Beira, the second largest city in Mozambique, Cyclone Idai left its most devastating footprints as it is estimated that nearly 90% of the city has been destroyed.

    “Similar waves of destruction impacted other cities and communities in different parts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar where Cyclone Idai bared its monstrous fangs.

    READ ALSO: Don’t throw Nigeria into crisis, NLC tells politicians

    “We wish to commend the resilience of those in the affected communities.

    “We salute the efforts of the governments of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar in scrambling rescue resources it could avail as a first line response to the victims.

    “We also appreciate the intervention of multilateral institutions and aid organizations both local and international for coming to the rescue of the people of Southern Africa hit by this calamitous disaster.

    “As devastating and painful as Cyclone Idai is, it affords all of us a moment of quiet reflection. Climate Change is real! We can only mitigate and adapt to its realities.

    “The NLC calls on all governments in Africa and beyond to be alive to the challenge posed by Climate Change especially with regards to making provisions for climatic early warning systems and robust architecture of rescue initiatives cum resources to deal with disasters of this nature.

    “We pray for the repose of the souls of those that died. We ask that God will grant fortitude to bereaved families, give strength to those whose loved ones are still missing or injured and imbue resilience in those experiencing great discomfort as occasioned by this natural disaster.”

  • Minimum wage: NLC wants quick implementation, commends Senate

    The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) wants the government to commence the implementation of the new national minimum wage before the 2019 workers day celebration and give workers good course to celebrate this year.

    NLC also commended the Senate for passing the bill into law, following the footstep of the House of Representatives which had earlier passed the N30, 000 as new national minimum wage.

    The Nigeria Governors Forum had earlier said that they will not be able to pay N30,000 as minimum wage, offering to pay N24,000 instead while President Muhammadu Buhari forwarded N27,000 to the National Assembly as minimum wage.

    Both chambers of the National Assembly set up special adhoc committees headed by the Deputy Senate President for the Senate Committee and Deputy Speaker for the House of Representatives committee to conduct public hearing and submit reports for consideration.

    However, the House of Representatives immediately passed the bill into law before embarking on break for the 2019 general election, while the Senate passed the bill at its sitting on Tuesday.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Senate endorses N30, 000 national Minimum Wage

    Acting President of the NLC, Comrade Najeem Yasin said even though the bill has been passed by both chambers, the battle for the minimum wage was not yet over, saying workers will not rest until the bill is signed and implemented.

    He said; “We commend the senate for the quick passage. But it is not yet over because we want them to make sure that the process gets to the logical conclusion and for the quick implementation of that N30, 000. Nigerian workers are happy and commends them.

    “We stand by the N75, 000 punishment for employers who fail to implement the law which has been passed. We have been fighting for this N30, 000 for a long time and the governors have been opposed to it. But now, it has been passed. Nigerian workers are now looking forward to the signing of the bill into law.

    “We want them to start implementing it before the May Day celebration so that Nigerian workers can have good reasons to celebrate.”

  • ‘818 million women suffering from gender based violence globally’

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that about 818 million women are suffering from one form of violence and intimidation across the globe.

    Chairperson of the National Women Commission of the Congress, Comrade Mercy Okezie disclosed this while speaking at 2019 international women’s day celebration in Abuja.

    Comrade Okezie said gender based violence is costing the world billions of dollars in business opportunities in terms of lost productivity, reputation and litigation, adding that In Nigeria, the just concluded NLC national delegate conference in line with I’ll convention, adopted a sexual harassment in the workplace policy.

    She said “Today, we join sisters all over the world to celebrate 2019 international women’s day with the theme “Balance for better’ which aims at addressing the widening gap of inequalities in the world of work.  Globally, 818 million women have experienced violence and harassment, marginalization, discrimination against race, class, caste disability, gender identity, migrant status, indigenous status or age.

    READ ALSO: Demand compensation for victims of protests, Falana tells NLC

    “Gender based violence alone costs businesses billions in terms of lost productivity, reputation and litigation.  In Nigeria, the just concluded NLC national delegate conference in line with I’ll convention, adopted a sexual harassment in the workplace policy.

    “We hope to seize this opportunity to sensitive the Nigerian women and popularise this policy. In spite of the earlier struggle, education and sensitization and similar movements put across to firmly bring gender issues to public eye and on the political agenda, we notice determined backlash with discriminatory and misogynist populist movements challenging democratic societies; while discrimination and inequality continue to characterize and share our unions and work, relegating women to lower pay, low quality jobs and precarious working conditions.

    “This year’s theme provides a unified guide to sensitize and spur to action plans and activities reinforcing the theme all year and certainly not a one off celebration that ends today. Everyone has a part to play, all the time every day and everywhere. Let’s do anything humanly possible to enthrone a gender Ballance world, Zero tolerance to, Sexual harassment/assault, domestic violence, trafficking in persons. All forms of discrimination, harmful traditional practices, child marriage, slavery and servitude. Fellow sisters, it is time to unsettle, shakeup, and uproot the settled bias against women,” she said.

    She asked Nigerians to join an international law to call time on gender based violence and harassment, adding that the time to act is now.

  • Employers violating pension reform Act, says Wabba

    •’Ogun owes N100b pension contributions’

    The Federal Government and other employers in the country are violating the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba has said.

    Wabba spoke during a pension session held by the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee in Abuja.

    He said employers, including the Federal Government, are violating the Act by deducting pension contribution from employees’ salary and not remitting same to their pension managers.

    The PRA 2004 as repealed by the PRA 2014 states that an employer is under obligation to remit pension contributions to Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) through Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) within seven days after payment of salaries; otherwise, in addition to making the remittance, the employer shall be liable to a penalty which shall not be less than two per cent of the total contributions that remain unpaid for each month or part of each month that the default continues.

    The PRA 2014 revised the rate of pension contribution from 7.5 per cent contributed equally by the employer and employee under the old law, to eight per cent for the employee and 10 per cent for the employer; bringing the minimum total contributions for both parties to 18 per cent compared to 15 per cent previously. As contained in the 2004 legislation, an employer may choose to make the total mandatory contributions without making deductions from the salary of the employee; however, total remittance for any employer who chooses to remit without recourse to the employee must not be less than 20 per cent of the monthly emolument of the employee.

    Monthly emolument is defined to mean total emolument as contained in the employee’s contract of employment, but shall not be less than the total sum of basic salary, housing and transport allowance.

    Wabba urged the commission to take steps, including collecting interest where such situations are found.

    He said: ‘’About the issue of violation. Yes, there has been violations. But the violators are employers that deduct pension from their employee and don’t remit pension to their (PFAs).

    “In Ogun today, we have about N100 billion that has been deducted by the state government and not remitted to Pension Fund Administrator (PFA). So clearly, there is a violation of the provision of the pension Act. Any employer who is not remitting both employer or employee contribution is a violation and therefore we want a very stringent measure to be taken including taking of interest where such situations are found.

    Speaking on safety of the N8.63 trillion pension fund assets, he said: “I will like people to know that the pension funds belong to somebody who is a worker today who is expecting that the money should be invested carefully in business that will be yielding interest for them.

    “However, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) has the responsibility of protecting the trillions of naira that belongs to the pensioners. The commission must ensure that these funds are safe and remitted as and when due”, he added.

  • NLC vows to resist sale of NNPC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday that it will resist any attempt to sell the nation’s refineries or privatize the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    It asked the government to immediately invoke the relevant sections of the law and revoke the Privatisation of the power sector.

    The Congress also said it will mobilize Nigerian workers to demand the composition of governing board for the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund and other agencies of government whose boards are yet to be inaugurated and are being run by the Ministers as sole administrators.

    President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who spoke at the 12th delegates conference of the NLC in Abuja said evidence abound across the country that Privatization has not done the nation any good as majority of government owned enterprises privatized are now comatose.

    Wabba said what has happened in the past the enterprises are under prices and sold to friends and associates who strip them of the assets, leaving them comatose and unproductive.

    He emphasized that “since the privatization of electricity distribution, Nigerians are yet to see the fulfilment of promises of efficient service delivery. Instead, the electricity situation has gone worse with chronic failures by DISCOs to supply prepaid meters, exploitation of Nigerians through estimated billings and reluctance to attend to basic complaints.

    “Even with N39 billion bailout funds from government, the supposed private entrepreneurs have failed to turn anything around except maybe their pockets, unfortunately, at the expense of Nigerians. This must stop. We call on government to reverse the power sector privatisation because it has failed.

    “Privatization of public utilities has not generally proven to be the correct thing to do in most countries even developed ones. According to a study released by Public Services International.

    Read Also: NLC insists on N30, 000 minimum wage

    “Why Public Private Partnerships don’t work; the many advantages of public alternative authored by David Hall privatizing public utilities has been a wreck in most countries. Example form Spain, France, India, South Korea, UK, Australia among others show how public/state guarantees and loans to private sector for the utilities sector have resulted in failures on delivery of services as well as repayment in most cases”.

    On the promise by one of the Presidential candidates to privatize the NNPC, Wabba said the Congress will not accept any attempt to sell National assets under any guise and will do everything possible and within legal means to stop such an attempt.

    He said that “the crisis of industrialization and manufacturing in Nigeria is best exemplified by the chaos in our downstream petroleum industry where we have been unable to manage our vast natural carbon resources for national development and the prosperity of our people. Our four national refineries are almost under lock and key as we depend on the importation of refined petroleum products for our energy needs.”

    He condemned the non-inauguration of the boards of some government agencies especially those within the Labour circle, saying such action had made the process of collective bargaining difficult, adding that the Congress has decided to take up the issue and would soon engage the relevant authorities over the issue.

    He said “as we gather in this Conference, almost four years down the line the following critical labour market institution boards are yet to be inaugurated. They are the NSITF, Michael Imoudu Labour Institute and PENCOM. This is not only a violation of the Act establishing these bodies but a denial of the critical role of social partners in the management of these boards.

    “Also, the National Labour Advisory Council has not been constituted thereby denying any avenue for tripartite consultation. No reason is good enough for this unhealthy development.”

    Speaking on the 2019 elections, Wabba said “As we approach the 2019 general election, we call on the election management body – Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – and in deed all stakeholders to ensure that we have a peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in February and March, 2019.

    “Congress will continue to hold both the players and the referee in this very important election to account on their words and conduct. Nigerians must rise above partisan interests and become the winners of this election – not political parties and their candidates.

    “The truth is that we do not have any other country other than Nigeria to call our own and we must therefore stop the politicians from using the elections as a pretext to throw the country into crisis.

    “In defending and promoting the cause of Nigerian workers, our focus is to build workers’ power through organizing. We have worked tirelessly to promote causes that can enhance the quality of life and improve the income cum other working conditions of workers. We have paid close attention to workers’ education through our increasingly improved education programmes especially the Rain and Harmattan Schools.”

    On the economy, Wabba said “Our national economy given its vast potentials, amidst diverse challenges, showed some promises in recent times. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.81% (year-on-year) in real terms in the third quarter of 2018.

    “This is slightly better than the growth of 1.17% achieved in the third quarter of 2017. The recent GDP growth and increase in internally generated revenue are signs of the steady recovery of our economy from recession.

    “Despite these results, our economy remains largely import driven and dependent. The growth in the size of our economy – the biggest in Africa – is still non-inclusive as the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen. Though described as mixed, our economy is essentially rent seeking and still suffers from systemic distortions.

    “The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report for the third quota of 2018 indicates that the general number of persons unemployed in the country has increased by 3.3 million. The report further indicates that the combined rate of unemployment and under-employment rose from 40.0% in the 2017 third quarter to 43.3% in the third quarter of 2018.”

    He said Nigerians and the government should be worried that the increased pool of graduates, skilled and unskilled youth in the unemployment market especially rural unemployment is a time bomb, adding that attempt to sack workers under any guise as it happened in Kaduna State will complicate the situation.”

    He stressed that the over dependence of our economy on crude oil revenue and the mismanagement of our vast oil wealth through corruption perpetrated by successive governments continue to expose the nation to severe shocks from price fluctuation in the international crude oil market, saying “this was how we landed in the last recession.

    “While we commend the efforts of the current government on economic diversification particularly through agriculture, we are not unmindful of serious structural issues that undermine the progress being made, deeply limit inclusive growth and impact negatively on sustainable development. We will therefore continue to call on government to pay serious attention to these issues.

    Wabba informed the delegates that efforts were being made to reposition the Labour Party and make it a truly Democratic party that all workers will be proud of.

    He said “Your mandate to us to recover and reposition the Labour Party has been met with significant commitment and efforts. We have been able to secure a High Court order that has recognized the NLC as the custodian of the Labour Party. This success has made the task of recovering and repositioning the Labour party a lot easier.

    “Consequent upon the reconciliatory moves by this leadership and other stakeholders, we have agreed to hold an all-inclusive national convention of the Labour Party in order to elect genuine leaders that will translate into reality our shared aspirations to reposition the Labour Party as the numero uno political party in Nigeria.

    “We will intensify current initiatives to settle all the differences within the rank and file of the Labour Party and reconcile the warring factions. We will keep our focus on ensuring that the proposed all-inclusive National Convention of the Labour Party takes place sooner than later.”

  • We won’t sell NNPC, refineries, FG assures workers

    The federal government has assured it has no plan or agenda to sell any of the refineries or the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ).

    It said anybody who has such plan does not have the interest of the workers at heart.

    Speaking at the 12th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari said government was determined to attain the decent work agenda, which involves opportunity for works that are productive and deliver a fair income, security work places and social protection for families.

    Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Buhari said: “I want to reassure you of the commitment of this administration to the issue of welfare of workers.

    Read Also: IPMAN hails harmonious relations with NNPC

    “This is evidence of numerous programmes and policies that have been initiated by this administration in promoting the interest of the well-being of our workforce.

    “Meanwhile the administration is committed to addressing other labour issues that are still pending.”

    The NLC called for reversal of power sector privatisation due to what it called chronic failures by the distribution companies (Discos) to deliver quality power supply to Nigerians.

    Its National President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said: “Since the privatization of electricity distribution, Nigerians are yet to see the fulfilment of promises of efficient service delivery.

    “Instead, the electricity situation has gone worse with chronic failures by DISCOs to supply prepaid meters, exploitation of Nigerians through estimated billings and reluctance to attend to basic complaints.

    “Even with N39 billion bailout funds from government, the supposed private entrepreneurs have failed to turn anything around except maybe their pockets, unfortunately, at the expense of Nigerians. This must stop.

    “We call on government to reverse the power sector privatisation because it has failed.

    “Privatization of public utilities has not generally proven to be the correct thing to do in most countries even developed ones.

    “Why Public Private Partnerships don’t work; the many advantages of public alternative authored by David Hall privatizing public utilities has been a wreck in most countries. Example form Spain, France, India, South Korea, UK, Australia among others show how public/state guarantees and loans to private sector for the utilities sector have resulted in failures on delivery of services as well as repayment in most cases”.

    He however urged the Federal Government to resuscitate ailing refineries in other to liberate the downstream sector.

  • Corrupt politicians colluding with bank officials to loot, says EFCC

    Politicians are colluding with bank officials to engage in illicit financial flow, Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Committee ( EFCC ) Ibrahim Magu has declared.

    He also stated looters are devising new tactics to escape being caught by the drag net of the commission.

    In a solidarity message to the 12 delegate conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday, Magu said the more the commission moves to address corruption, the more those involve devise new strategies.

    He also the commission’s collaboration with foreign partners have begun to yield results, adding with the MoU signed with the United Arab Emirates, the EFCC has been able to trace several assets illegally kept there.

    Magu, who was represented by a Director in the Commission, Dr. Aminu Gusau, said: “Our various investigations, we have unearthed the collusion of bank officials and those of non-designated financial institutions with corrupt politicians in the country, which have brought about an increase in the instances of illicit financial flows into and out of Nigeria.

    “We have realised that the more we spread our tentacles far and wide, even beyond the shores of Nigeria, to catch and bring to book those who hate corruptly enriched themselves from the commonwealth, the more we are discovering the corrupt minded folks are evolving new techniques.”

    Read Also: EFCC secures 40 convictions In January

    He stated the NLC has collaborated with the EFCC at various events anti-corruption walk, among other interactive forum, strategically designed to strengthen partnership.

    He went on: “Corrupt politicians have widened the circles of their corrupt activities by investing them in other African countries, so that in the long run, they sell them and deploy ways of repatriating them to Nigeria, even in the buildup to the election.

    “But, by and by, we are also stepping up our game to combat and hip in the bud, new tactics being deployed to fraudulently divert and misappropriate funds meant for the welfare and good of all Nigerians. We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

    “MoU with the Economic and Organized Crime Office, in Ghana, the Ghana Financial Intelligence Centre and the Ghana police service to ensure that we keep track of such illicit inflow and outflow of suspicious funds.

    “On our part, we are keenly monitoring the movement of cash in the system, and are awake to our responsibility of ensuring provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 are strictly adhered to, especially as it relates to election funding, and the now worrisome incidents of vote-buying.”

  • JOHESU paralyses activities at Ministry of Health

    Health workers under the aegis of Joint Health Workers Union ( JOHESU ) paralysed activities at the Federal Ministry of Health Monday, demanding immediate implementation of the collective agreement reached with workers.

    The protesting JOHESU members also called for a holistic turn around the health sector to enable Nigerians have access to quality healthcare.

    They kicked against unjustified withholding of the salaries of JOHESU members for the months of April and May 2018 and also called for upward adjustment of CONHESS salary structure.

    The workers according to a staff of the ministry, arrived at the ministry complex in large number carrying placards with several inscriptions, threatened to mobilize Nigerian workers to come out with their mattresses, pillows and cooking utensils to the Federal Secretariat Abuja and also the houses of the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole in both Abuja and his village in Osun state.

    Read Also: Strike: JOHESU issues seven-day ultimatum

    Addressing the workers, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Waba who decried the discrimination being meted to health workers in the country said for peace to reign in the sector, there must be justice adding that has written to the President, Minister of health and the Minister of Labour and Productivity on the need to resolve the dispute in the health sector but has not received any response from them.

    Waba who criticized the Minister of Health for implementing No work No Pay rule in the health sector said, “The law of No work No Pay is a military decree. It is decree 54 of 1977. No government in the history of Nigeria either military or civilian has implemented it. Why should it then be implemented if they didn’t implement collective bargaining agreement. He who goes to equity must go with clean hands. Therefore you cannot benefit all and all that we have already also violated another law

    “We will continue to fight. Let us be ready. Anytime you hear that we are reconvening here, you should come with your mattress and pillow. We are going to get people to cook here, we will sleep here. The minister has said that he doesn’t want peace in the health sector he cannot also have peace in his family, village and wherever he is. I want to assure you that we cannot be deterred. Nobody can associate your action which is legitimate to any political association.

    Also speaking, JOHESU President, Josiah Biobelemoye, said the peaceful protest was in response to deliberate attempt by the health minister to disrespect various agreements government reached with the health workers.

    He observed that the union’s plan was to locked down the ministry and occupy it till their requests were met, but they toned down their action because of the intervention by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    He said, “Most worrisome was that they have violated several parts of the order of the National Industrial Court. They have equally implemented no work no pay, which was contrary to the suggestions of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) team.

    “We never requested for equality. We only requested for equity. We ought to have commenced a nationwide strike on Monday or Tuesday, but swift intervention came from a highly respected clergyman over the weekend, who pleaded for more time to intervene.

    “We have agreed to soft pedal and watch the outcome of the intervention this week. We won’t hesitate to embark on a strike by the end of this week if we fail to get positive response.”

  • Minimum Wage: NLC lauds House of Rep., urges Senate to align

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday commended the House of Representatives for adopting N30, 000 as the new National Minimum Wage and the quick passage of the bill.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja, while reacting to the passage of the National Minimum Wage bill by the House of Representatives.

    NAN reports that the National Council of State had on January 23, approved N27, 000 as minimum wage for federal, states and the organised private sector.

    NAN also reports that the NLC had rejected the N27, 000 minimum wage approved by the Council of State, maintaining that N30, 000 was the figure agreed at the tripartite negotiating meeting as the new minimum wage.

    Stakeholders had on Monday engaged the National Assembly at a public hearing to press home their demand of N30, 000 as the new national wage as agreed by the Tripartite Committee.

    According to Wabba, the passage confirms the wishes of the people and even the social partners.

    ”Because during the public hearing, organised private sector confirmed that N30, 000 was mutually agreed, and also all other sectors came in and said that it was N30, 000 that was mutually agreed.

    “So, clearly speaking, I think what happened at the National Assembly is just to uphold the wishes of the people and the Tripartite Committee, and also centrally to recognise workers contributions to national development.

    “We also plead with the Senate to follow the same path, so that it can be assented to and workers could begin to benefit from it.

    “I want to say that in this battle for the new national minimum wage, all of us are winners, nobody is a loser because really the centrality is what matter most,” he said.

    Also, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, NLC General Secretary, said the lawmakers had done what the Nigerian people expect from them.

    He said in spite of efforts to support the position of the governors, it was clear from the public hearing that all stakeholders in the minimum wage wanted to be honorable.

    Read also: Buhari to Imo voters on guber contest: vote your choice

    According to him, at the public hearing on Monday, it was clear that all the major stakeholders wanted to be honourable by aligning with what was agreed through negotiation at the tripartite committee level.

    “We as organised labour maintained this position along with the Organised Private Sector, even the Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs said at the public hearing that they were part of the agreement.

    ‘‘However, it is the National Assembly that makes law, and the House of Representatives had demonstrated that; so, we are happy.

    “There is this aspect, which we are not comfortable with, which is the exclusion of those employers who have less than 25 in their employment. We think that is already being abused,” he said.

    He added that for instance a situation where secondary schools whose teachers are being paid less than a minimum wage, they will just organise a pay roll and ensure that they are not up to the number captured by the law.

    “There are some law chambers paying young lawyers N10, 000, which cannot even pay their transportation and they are hiding under the guise of not being captured by the law,” Ozo-Eson said.

    He, however, commended the House of Representatives and also urged the Senate to quickly do the needful by aligning with the House of Representatives on the matter. (NAN)