The National Executive Council of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC at the end of its meeting in Abuja has refuted the claims that negotiations are still on-going on the issue of a New National Minimum Wage which implementation is already long overdue.
NLC said the claim was made by the Minister of Labour and employment, Dr Chris Ngige.
In a communiqué signed by the NLC president, Ayuba Wabba at the end of its meeting, noted that the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee arrived at N30,000 as the figure to be recommended to the Nigerian Government at the conclusion of its sitting.
The communiqué stated that, NEC is disturbed by government’s new offensive against Organised Labour and workers’ rights as contained in a report submitted to the Federal Executive Council by the Minister of Labour and Employment and on which Government has issued a White Paper.
It stressed that it views the latest posture by government as calculated to cow workers into submission as well as stop Labour from protesting against Government’s foot dragging on the new national minimum wage.
Influencing tenure
The NEC observed that government’s designs to influence the tenure of union executives and membership of unions negotiating teams constitute a direct interference in the internal affairs of the unions in direct contravention of the Articles 3, 4 and 8 of ILO Convention 87 (to which Nigeria is a signatory since 1960) which state inter alia.
The NEC-in-session received the report on the conclusion of the sittings of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee that took place on October 4 & 5, 2018.
The communiqué further hinted that it noted with dismay how the Minister of Labour and Employment, tried to twist the truth by misinforming the public that the meeting of October 4 and 5, 2018 was inconclusive as the members of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage did not agree on a figure.
The NEC after its deliberation with members has resolved to organise a national day of mobilisation and sensitisation rallies for all workers to show their outrage and mourning in the 36 States of the federation and FCT on Tuesday, 30th October, 2018.
“The day will also be used to educate and sensitise Nigerians on the horrendous plight of workers and pensioners, the insensitivity and duplicity of Government on labour issues and to protest the proposed obnoxious policies of government against Organised Labour.
“To hold joint meetings of the Central Working Committees (CWCs) of all the Labour Centres on November 2, 2018 for final preparations for a full engagement with Government on the national minimum wage.
“To commence an indefinite national strike and industrial actions from November 6, 2018; except government accepts and commences the process of perfecting the payment of N30,000 as the negotiated and compromise new national minimum wage before that date,” it stated.
The NEC also demanded from government to uphold the principles of the rule of law, fairness, equity and justice by invoking “no work… no pay”.
Accordingly, it resolved that the threat of “no work… no pay” will not deter it from embarking on strike when necessary as it has always complied with legal requirements precedent and will always comply with those requirements.
Disregard
The NEC-in-session urges Nigerian workers to disregard government’s directive on “no work… no pay” because workers are already being impoverished and being owed arrears of salaries.
In conclusion, this communiqué serves as formal notice to government that the NLC will commence an indefinite national strike and industrial actions from November 6, 2018.
It said except government accepts and commences the process of perfecting the payment of N30,000 as the negotiated and compromised new national minimum wage on or before said date.
The meeting was attended by member of the National Administrative Council (NAC), Presidents, General Secretaries and Treasurers of the affiliate Industrial unions.
The Chairpersons of the 36 State Councils and FCT also attended the meeting.