The Organized Labor comprising the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has reiterated its May 31, 2024 ultimatum which it issued to the Federal Government to meet all of its demands which includes implementation of a new national minimum wage and reversal of the hike in electricity tariff.
This is coming less than 24 hours after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Councils (NEC) of the NLC and TUC in response to the pressing national issues affecting Nigerian workers.
Among the issues discussed by the labor leaders was the persisting non-compliance with the 2019 National Minimum wage Act by some state governments.
In the resolution jointly signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC leader Festus Osifo, the labour unions also directed their members in Anambra State to mobilize for an industrial action in the event that the state government did not meet the demands of workers by May 23, 2024.
“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 emphasizes 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 government’s policies.
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“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 emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the demands put forth by Nigerian workers and urges the government to prioritize 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 the Anambra state government by its Anambra state councils. It therefore directed all affiliates and workers in the state council to mobilize 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,” the unions so resolved.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that last week, labor unions walked out of minimum wage negotiations with the government following a N48,000 proposal by the Federal Government.
The labor unions described the offer as ridiculous.
According to the NLC President, the government was not serious about negotiating with the labour on the new minimum wage.