Nigerian workers have again called on the Federal Government to urgently transmit the recommendations of the tripartite committee on a new minimum wage to the National Assembly, saying they are becoming impatient.
The workers, who spoke through their leaders yesterday across the country during mobilisation rallies organised on the minimum wage issue, said governments should effect the payment of N30,000 minimum wage as agreed or face an indefinite strike any moment from now.
On N30,000 we stand, say workers in Lagos
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Vice President Comrade Solomon Adelegan, who led the protest in Lagos, from Maryland to Alausa as early as 7am, insisted that the government must transmit the N30,000 recommended to the National Assembly with immediate effect.
Adelegan said workers’ decision for going to the Governors’ office in Alausa was aimed at presenting a letter to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
He said the letter was just to urge the state governor to speak to his fellow governors on the need to agree and effect the N30,000 minimum wage.
Also speaking at the protest, former Southwest Zonal Chairman of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, said the Federal Government was ready to pay the agreed minimum wage, “but the state governors are slowing down the presentation of the bill to the National Assembly”.
General Secretary of the Joint Action Front (JAF)Comrade Abiodun Aremu urged its affiliates, allies and Nigerians across religion and ethnic divides to join forces with the organised labour to enforce the payment of the minimum wage.
Receiving the letter on behalf of the governor, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Mr. Benjamin Olabinjo, apologised and said the letter would be delivered to the governor.
The protest caused a heavy gridlock stretching from Maryland through Ikeja to Alausa.
Oyo Govt ‘ll soon make workers smile, says Ajimobi
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi said yesterday that his government will soon put smiles on the faces of its workers when the issue of national minimum wage is addressed.
He also assured the workers that their pay would soon rise in compliance with the new wage law.
Ajimobi spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while addressing the Oyo State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress in his office at Agodi, Ibadan, during a peaceful protest by NLC to demand for the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The governor, speaking through his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, said every reasonable person knows that the present N18,000 minimum wage was very small compared to the high prices of goods and services.
He noted that the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, is committed to the welfare of the workers, adding that government would ensure speedy passage and implementation of the new minimum wage.
Chairman, Oyo State NLC Comrade Waheed Olojede said the essence of the peaceful protest was to call on government to quickly pass the recommendation of the tripartite committee to the National Assembly to enact it into law
Ondo workers join protest
Workers in Ondo State, like their counterparts across the country, yesterday protested over the new national minimum wage.
Members of organised labour unions, who converged on the Cultural Centre, rallied to Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, where they demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari submit a bill to the parliament for the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage.
NLC President Ayuba Wabba, while addressing workers in Akure, said the protest became imperative to ensure that the minimum wage bill processes for the transmission would be completed.
A letter by the labour unions to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was received by Secretary to the State Government Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde, who addressed the labour unions on behalf of the governor.
Abegunde, however, said the welfare of the state workers was paramount to the government.
Osun workers: we’ll not relent in our demand
Osun State workers also joined the protest to demand for N30,000 minimum wage, saying they would not relent in their demand.
In their hundreds, they converged on the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo, the state capital, before marching round major streets of the town to register their grievances over non-implementation of the proposed minimum wage.
The workers went round major streets, including Old Garage, Olaiya Junction, Ayetoro and Okefia and terminated the protest in front of the state House of Assembly, on Gbongan road while singing solidarity songs.
With placards with different inscriptions: “No retreat, No surrender on our demand”, “We will not relent in pursuing our goals”, “On N30,000 minimum wage will stand” and many others, the protesters promised to follow the demand to a logical conclusion.
State NLC Chairman Comrade Jacob Adekomi, who addressed his colleagues, said they would not relent until their demand is met.
Imo NLC: we’ll reject anybody who reject minimum wage
The Imo State NLC chapter called on President Muhammadu Buhari to hasten the process of the implementation of the proposed N30,000 minimum wage.
The aggrieved unionists stated that they are ready to reject anybody “who rejected the minimum wage”.
The protest, however, ran into a hitch when the leaders disagreed on where to lead the protesting workers to.
The Executive members lead by the Chairman, Comrade Austin Chilakpu, marched to the office of the Secretary to the State Government. The workers, led by one Samuel Iwuala, took their protest to the Government House.
Niger is ready to pay, says Sani-Bello
Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello yesterday declared his readiness to pay the new minimum wage as being agitated by the organised Labor.
He assured the organised labour the state that he is ready to comply as soon as the new minimum wage is agreed upon.
The governor stated this in Minna while addressing the state chapter of the organised labour.
Bello maintained the need for workers’ welfare to be improved upon in the face of the inflationary trend, which makes life difficult for workers.
The governor reinstated that the welfare of the state workforce remains his major priority.
Workers vow to punish politicians in Delta
Delta State NLC vowed to use the opportunity of the 2019 general elections to punish state governors and other politicians paying lip service to the implementation of the proposed N30,000 minimum wage.
NLC Chairman Mr. Jonathan Jemiriegbe stated this in Asaba yesterday after leading a rally to the Government House, where he presented a position paper to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Okowa, who is seeking a second term in office, had promised to implement the new minimum wage once it is approved at the national level.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Tam Brisibe, said his administration is labour-friendly.
He hailed the organised labour in the state for their cooperation and support in the past three years.
