Organized labour has insisted that despite breakdown in negotiations with the federal government on a new national minimum wage, the May 31st dateline has remain sacrosanct. This decision was reached by the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, during an emergency National Executive Council meeting that was held today Monday, May 20, 2024. Earlier, the unions had accused the federal government of failing to demonstrate a sense of serious commitment to concluding the new national minimum wage process, saying the offer government was offering was insensitive to the current realities in Nigerians.
Accordingly, discussions are expected to resume by tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21, after labour staged a walk-out last Wednesday when the government proposed N48,000 to the tripartite committee.
In a communiqué signed by Presidents of NLC, Joe Ajaero, and Festus Osifo, today, the unions leaders gave the government until the end of the month to reverse the recent increase in electricity tariff for band A customers whom their tariff were increased arbitrarily.
The unions also issued a fresh warning against its state councils to as a matter of urgency a two-week deadline to state governments whom have refused to comply by paying the N30,000 minimum wage to its workers.
The Labour threatens that it couldn’t guarantee industrial peace in the affected states if they failed to pay workers the N30,000 wage.
The communiqué partly reads; “After thorough deliberations and considerations of these current realities as they affect Nigerian workers and masses, the NEC-in-session of both centres resolved as follows:
“Electricity Tariff Hike: The NEC once again vehemently condemns the unilateral increase in electricity tariff by the authorities. This action, taken without due consideration for the economic hardships faced by the masses and the provisions of the Law, is deemed unjust and burdensome. The NEC reaffirms its demands for an immediate reversal of the tariff hike and the vexatious apartheid categorization into Bands to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and citizens and gives the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government until the last day of May, 2024 to meet these demands.
It added, “Negotiation of New National Minimum Wage: The NEC acknowledges the ongoing negotiations between the NLC/TUC, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and the federal government regarding the new national minimum wage. While appreciating the efforts made thus far, the NEC emphasises the urgency of reaching a fair and equitable agreement that reflects the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of the government’s policies. The NEC affirms its commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process.
“The NEC-in-session therefore reiterates the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC to the federal government, which expires on the last day of this month. It emphasises the non-negotiable nature of the demands put forth by Nigerian workers and urges the government to prioritise the resolution of these issues in the best interest of industrial peace.
“NEC-in-session further directed all state Councils whose state Governments are yet to fully implement the N30,000(Thirty-thousand Naira) National Minimum Wage and its consequential adjustments to issue immediately a joint two-week ultimatum to the culpable state Governments to avert industrial action.
“Consequently, the NEC-in-session accordingly reaffirms the NLC and TUC joint ultimatum earlier issued to the Anambra state government by its Anambra state councils. It therefore directed all affiliates and workers in the state council to mobilise their members to ensure a successful action in the event the state government fails to meet the demands of workers by Thursday, the 23rd of May, 2024.
“In the event that the government fails to meet the demands outlined within the stipulated time frame, the NEC authorises the leadership of the NLC and TUC to take appropriate actions, including but not limited to the mobilisation of workers for peaceful protests and industrial actions, to press home these demands for social justice and workers’ rights.
“NEC therefore calls on all affiliate unions, and workers including Civil Society Organisations across Nigeria to remain united and steadfast in solidarity during this critical period. Together, we shall prevail in our pursuit of a fair and just society that guarantees the dignity and well-being of all its citizens.
“The NECs – in – session finally affirms its unwavering commitment to championing the cause of Nigerian workers and ensuring that their rights and interests are upheld at all times,” the statement concludes.