Minimum wage: Prepare for battle, Labour tells workers

Labour leaders on Sunday psyched workers up for confrontation with Abuja and states if they fail to pay the N18,000 minimum wage after the two weeks’ ultimatum which expires July 14.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Abdulwaheed Omar, said workers are prepared to return to the trenches because the decision of some Governors to tie the implementation of the N18, 000 new minimum wage to the removal of fuel subsidy is “unpatriotic and sadistic” and would be resisted.
In his view, Governors are not sincere in their actions and statements because the law mandates all the three tiers of government to pay the new minimum wage.
Trade Union Congress (TUC) President General, Peter Esele, challenged Governors to show their plans to obey the law, and disclosed that Labour will not attend any meeting with the government unless it will ensure the payment.
“If we are called 24 hours before the expiration of the two weeks’ deadline, we are going to go ahead with our strike.
“What we expect for now is the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage because we have gone beyond any form of negotiation on this issue”, he stressed.
“The Government cannot call us for negotiations. If they are going to call us for a meeting, in that meeting, all we want to hear is that they will pay us N18, 000 right away”
“What we are talking about is an issue of law. There is no negotiation any more. It is like taking somebody to court and judgment is delivered based on the law. The N18,000 we are talking about is strictly based on law, which Governors should respect.”
Esele said Labour will resist oil sector deregulation as a pre-condition for the payment.
However, Labour and Productivity Minister, Emeka Wogu, has pleaded with workers to be patient with Abuja in attending to their demands.
He told reporters after he took the oath of office on Saturday that Nigerians should be patient with the administration, as “we are expected to consolidate on our gains and correct the mistakes of the last one year if there are mistakes.”
He appealed for calm and promised to study the grievances and resume dialogue with Labour today.

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