Labour issues six-month ultimatum to federal government over minimum wage

macfranc007 January 01, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Akinyemi Akinrujomu

- TUC says governors owing salaries have three months to redeem themselves or face the wrath of workers in their respective states

- The labour union says President Buhari's minimum wage committee has just six months to provide solid result

- The union said workers are tired of being taken for granted

Labour union the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has told the National Minimum Wage Committee set up by President Buhari recently that it has six months to to come up with a new minimum wage for workers.

The Nation reports that the ultimatum was issued in the union’s New Year message to workers by its President Bobboi Kaigama and General Secretary Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi.

The TUC also told governors who received Paris club refunds but are owing workers to pay up by the end of 2018’s first quarter or face the wrath of workers.

The message read: “We wish to thank the Almighty God for the grace to see another year and equally appreciate all Nigerian workers for their endurance and persistent quest for an egalitarian society. Your tolerance and that of your wards is commendable. Truly the pain we bear is a needless one and we all shall work to correct the anomalies in 2018.

“While we also laud governments at all levels for a number of successes recorded, it is instructive that the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria states here unequivocally that Nigerian workers have not only lost their jobs in millions, but many even committed suic*de when they could no longer fend for their families.

“It is no news that pensioners (our senior servants) who served this country meritoriously die on a daily basis, even at verification locations throughout the country. Though their pension is not paid yet , they are burdened to feed their graduate children who are yet to get jobs five years after graduation.

“This is not the best of times in our country as Nigerians are subjected to various dehumanising conditions. How do we explain it, that in the midst of the gruelling fuel scarcity, many workers are still being owed up to six months salary.

“Bailouts were given but unfortunately diverted by governors and the Federal Government seems not to be doing anything about it. Those governors involved in such irresponsible act should be brought to book. There is no milk of kindness left in our leaders anymore. They prefer state of the art monuments and houses as well as five star hotels to human life and the education of our children (the supposed leaders of tomorrow).

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“Families die on our roads, yet they tell us our roads are not as bad as some Nigerians claim. It is only in Nigeria people pay for services that they did not use. If things remain like this the Congress may have no option than to hit the street.

“We are worried by the astronomic rate factories close shop in Nigeria and the billions spent on medical tourism. There was a report recently decrying the spate at which our medical experts flee the country. Nigerians are brought back from Libya lame, blind and abused.

“As an organisation we do not blame Libyans. We blame our leaders who have failed to provide the basic things of life. What about our young graduates who have now become prostitutes, political thugs, ritual killings and other criminal activities?”

NAIJ.com had reported that President Buhari, on Monday, November 27, inaugurated a 30-member tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee for the negotiation of a new national minimum wage for the Nigerian workers.

The inauguration which was held inside the council chamber of the Presidential Villa Abuja was attended by governors and senior government officials.

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