The Organised Labour has accused the Federal Government of delay tactics in approval of new National Minimum Wage for workers.
Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), described the manipulation and bending of facts by FG as an attempt to delay the process needed to promulgate a new national minimum wage act.
Wabba stated this at the protest tagged: `National Day of Mourning and Outrage’ organised by NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC) on Tuesday in Abuja.
The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions, “No minimum wage, No work from Nov. 6’’, “Minimum Wage of N30, 000 not negotiable’’, “Minimum wage will boost Nigerian economy.’
Others are: “Upward review of Minimum wage will not trigger inflation’’, “Ngige and governors do not own Nigeria, Nigeria belongs to all workers,’’ and among others.
Wabba said: “We call on the Federal Government to take necessary steps to ensure the enactment of a new national minimum wage act as we cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony.
“The new national minimum wage is both legally and materially due since 2016 as the Minimum Wage Act prescribes a five yearly cycle of review.
“The increase in the pump price of petroleum products by over 85 per cent and the devaluation of the Naira by 100 per cent in 2016, have massively affected the cost of living.”
According to him, the exchange rate and inflation rose to an all-time high, rendering the N18, 000 unjustifiable as basis for continued national minimum wage.
“Given the realities of our economic condition, the least any worker should earn is N30, 000,” he added.
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