ABUJA — The House of Representatives has waded into the looming industrial crisis in the country over the vexed issue of the new National Minimum wage plan.
It was learnt that the leadership of House led by its Speaker, Mr Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday Wednesday met with the leadership of the NLC and that of the Trade Union Congress, TUC.
This was confirmed by the Acting General Secretary of NLC, Comrade Owei Lakemfa..
It would be recalled that the NLC, on Tuesday, declared that workers in the country would embark on a three-day warning strike from Wednesday if the three tiers ( Federal, State, and Local government) of government and the private sector failed to implement the new minimum wage law which came into effect last March.
President of NLC, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar handed down the strike warning notice in a press conference he addressed after the National Executive Committee (NEC) of NLC held an emergency meeting last Tuesday over the implementation of the National Minimum wage Law.
According to the NLC President : “The NEC of NLC has painfully observed that over three months since the New National Minimum Wage became law , no government whether federal, state or local has implemented it. Also no private sector employer has paid the new wages.”
The NLC had also rejected the restriction of payment of the new wage to only workers in salaries levels one to six. Meanwhile the Socialist Workers League has declared its support for the labour movement’s planned strike scheduled for 20 to 22 July. This was contained in a press statement issued yesterday by the group and signed by its National Chairperson Baba Aye.
According to the group: “it is preposterous for any government to claim it cannot pay meager sum of N18,000 which is barely enough to live on while elites in and ouside government live in ostentation”.
The storm seems to be gathering over the minimum wage issue between the organized labour and state governments finally. Three months after the enabling Act was assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan, the organized labour under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (NLC) on Thursday handed down a two-week ultimatum within which the implementation must take effect.
Failure to do this, the two labour bodies after a joint meeting in Abuja directed all civil servants to commence a full-blown action on July 14.
Consequently, the labour said it has ordered all its state councils to comply with the strike order.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, President of the NLC and his TUC counterpart, Peter Esele said the position of the governors was particularly annoying, warning that labour could no longer endure flagrant breach of the law legalizing the N18,000 minimum wage.
According to them, if at the expiration of the ultimatum, the new wage is not implemented, it will be a total showdown with the Federal Government and the recalcitrant state governors as government workers at all levels would embark on action to ensure the law is obeyed by government which is supposed to be the custodian of law.
The negotiation for a new national minimum wage commenced with the demand by labour for a N52,000 minimum wage following which the Justice Belgore Committee was set up.
However, the N52,000 wage demand was beaten down to N18,000 after series of meetings involving all critical stakeholders including private sector employers, federal and state government, FIRS, Salaries and Wages Commission and other bodies.
The National Assembly deliberated on the New National Wage bill and after several debates, the N18,000 new wage bill was passed and President Jonathan assented to it last March.
The labour leaders vowed yesterday that if at the end of the ultimatum the federal and state governments failed to begin the full implementation of the new minimum wage, workers would resort to a protracted industrial action that would ground the entire economy.
Failure to do this, the two labour bodies after a joint meeting in Abuja directed all civil servants to commence a full-blown action on July 14.
Consequently, the labour said it has ordered all its state councils to comply with the strike order.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, President of the NLC and his TUC counterpart, Peter Esele said the position of the governors was particularly annoying, warning that labour could no longer endure flagrant breach of the law legalizing the N18,000 minimum wage.
According to them, if at the expiration of the ultimatum, the new wage is not implemented, it will be a total showdown with the Federal Government and the recalcitrant state governors as government workers at all levels would embark on action to ensure the law is obeyed by government which is supposed to be the custodian of law.
The negotiation for a new national minimum wage commenced with the demand by labour for a N52,000 minimum wage following which the Justice Belgore Committee was set up.
However, the N52,000 wage demand was beaten down to N18,000 after series of meetings involving all critical stakeholders including private sector employers, federal and state government, FIRS, Salaries and Wages Commission and other bodies.
The National Assembly deliberated on the New National Wage bill and after several debates, the N18,000 new wage bill was passed and President Jonathan assented to it last March.
The labour leaders vowed yesterday that if at the end of the ultimatum the federal and state governments failed to begin the full implementation of the new minimum wage, workers would resort to a protracted industrial action that would ground the entire economy.
NLC showdown
Reading the communique of the meeting at the NLC secretariat in Abuja, Omar explained that labour had reviewed the controversies trailing the wage bill and found out that arguments canvassed by the state governors did not hold water. He wondered why none of the governors has taken the initiative to begin its implementation.
Omar accused the Governors’ Forum, headed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi as being behind the stalemate because it is working to frustrate the effective implementation of the wage bill in spite of repeated assurances by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) that most governors were in a healthy financial condition to implement the new salary structure.
The NLC President argued that it was the Governors’ Forum that was dissuading some governors who could have started paying to hold on so as not to put others unwilling to pay into trouble with their workers.
He said: “Having reviewed the state of respect of the minimum wage law, we have come to the sad realization that no level of government has implemented the law, be it federal, state or local governments, in spite of the law coming into effect since March 2011.
“In the case of the Federal Government, the salaries and wages commission has been unable or unwilling to produce a table for implementation to the federal public servants.
“On the part of the state governments, while some are showing indication of wanting to pay, others that want to violate the constitution and the law are inclined to blackmailing their colleagues.
The Governors’ Forum in a show of reckless insensitivity to the plight of the Nigerian people have introduced strange elements into the scene, geared at subverting the process.”
He described as laughable the conditions being given by the governors for implementation, saying they have forgotten that it is a matter of law, which did not call for any negotiation or condition.
The NLC President argued that the review of the revenue allocation formula which most of the governors are hinging on not to effect the pay structure was quite laughable as it would require a constitutional amendment process to achieve that objective.
Esele in his comment noted that the ultimatum would not be shifted or labour cajoled into abandoning it, saying the only thing that could avert the strike is payment of the new wage.
Reading the communique of the meeting at the NLC secretariat in Abuja, Omar explained that labour had reviewed the controversies trailing the wage bill and found out that arguments canvassed by the state governors did not hold water. He wondered why none of the governors has taken the initiative to begin its implementation.
Omar accused the Governors’ Forum, headed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi as being behind the stalemate because it is working to frustrate the effective implementation of the wage bill in spite of repeated assurances by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) that most governors were in a healthy financial condition to implement the new salary structure.
The NLC President argued that it was the Governors’ Forum that was dissuading some governors who could have started paying to hold on so as not to put others unwilling to pay into trouble with their workers.
He said: “Having reviewed the state of respect of the minimum wage law, we have come to the sad realization that no level of government has implemented the law, be it federal, state or local governments, in spite of the law coming into effect since March 2011.
“In the case of the Federal Government, the salaries and wages commission has been unable or unwilling to produce a table for implementation to the federal public servants.
“On the part of the state governments, while some are showing indication of wanting to pay, others that want to violate the constitution and the law are inclined to blackmailing their colleagues.
The Governors’ Forum in a show of reckless insensitivity to the plight of the Nigerian people have introduced strange elements into the scene, geared at subverting the process.”
He described as laughable the conditions being given by the governors for implementation, saying they have forgotten that it is a matter of law, which did not call for any negotiation or condition.
The NLC President argued that the review of the revenue allocation formula which most of the governors are hinging on not to effect the pay structure was quite laughable as it would require a constitutional amendment process to achieve that objective.
Esele in his comment noted that the ultimatum would not be shifted or labour cajoled into abandoning it, saying the only thing that could avert the strike is payment of the new wage.
TUC salvo
Noting that the law concerning the wage act was clear and totally unambiguous, he said all stakeholders were party to the formulation of the law. “Our ground is rooted in the law which was signed by the President, it is not a matter for negotiation, so whatever the governors are saying is not our concern or a matter for any debate.”
Esele described as sinister moves by the Ondo State governor, Segun Mimiko to go into private agreement with his state workers to pay N14,000. He said such negotiation would never enjoy the backing of the apex labour unions.
He also threatened that state chapter chairmen who append their signature to such agreement would lose their jobs, saying it was disheartening that a governor who emerged on the platform of Labour Party would initiate such an approach to subvert what has already been cleared by the law.
“For TUC and NLC, there is no basis to commence any negotiation, the wage bill has already been transformed into a national law and binding on the Federal Government and governors, our only concern at this stage is for them to implement it simple.”
Noting that the law concerning the wage act was clear and totally unambiguous, he said all stakeholders were party to the formulation of the law. “Our ground is rooted in the law which was signed by the President, it is not a matter for negotiation, so whatever the governors are saying is not our concern or a matter for any debate.”
Esele described as sinister moves by the Ondo State governor, Segun Mimiko to go into private agreement with his state workers to pay N14,000. He said such negotiation would never enjoy the backing of the apex labour unions.
He also threatened that state chapter chairmen who append their signature to such agreement would lose their jobs, saying it was disheartening that a governor who emerged on the platform of Labour Party would initiate such an approach to subvert what has already been cleared by the law.
“For TUC and NLC, there is no basis to commence any negotiation, the wage bill has already been transformed into a national law and binding on the Federal Government and governors, our only concern at this stage is for them to implement it simple.”
The communique read:
We called this meeting out of deep sense of responsibility and duty to rein in the dangerous cacophony of outburst against law and order in our country regarding the status of the Minimum Wage Act 2011.
“Having reviewed the state of respect of the minimum wage Law, we have come to the sad realization that no level of government has implemented the law, be it federal, state or local governments, in spite of the law coming into effect since March 2011.
“In the case of the Federal Government, the Salaries and Wages Commission has been unable and or unwilling to produce a table for implementation to Federal Public Servants, and so the Federal Government has not implemented the law.
“On the part of the state governments while some are showing indication of wanting to pay, others that want to violate the constitution and the Law are inclined to blackmailing their colleagues. The Governors’ Forum in a show of reckless insensitivity to the plight of the Nigerian people have introduced strange elements into the scene, geared at subverting the process.
“Firstly, the issue of new Revenue Allocation Formula, which requires Constitutional Amendment to achieve has been touted to be condition precedent to implementation of the minimum wage. We find this as laughable and completely unacceptable as the Law is clear and unambiguous. All stakeholders were party to the formulation of the Law and we know of a fact that they can pay the N18,000 minimum wage.
“Secondly, the sadistic introduction of the oil subsidy argument, is essentially asking government to increase the prices of petroleum products and further impoverish the mass of our people. Again, we reject this, and state unequivocally that there can be no conditionalities for payment of the new minimum wage.
“Labour will never succumb to the blackmail of the masses to accept an increase in fuel prices. Any attempt to increase the prices of petrol in guise of deregulation will be resisted, and organized Labour is willing, ready and capable of leading the Nigeria people on mass resistance against such unprovoked, unpatriotic move.
“Our attention has also been drawn to the fact that some state governors are applying the twin evil tools of intimidation and timid compromise on the workers leadership in their states by threatening mass sack, and high taxation. We hereby serve notice that any state government that indulges in this or induces an illicit agreement to pay less than N18,000, will have to contend with a most robust form of resistance ever in the annals of workers solidarity in our country.
“Given the above manifest reluctance or failure of federal and state governments to implement the minimum wage, which has consequently caused implementation inertia in the private sector, organized labour under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress hereby issue a two week ultimatum for full implementation of the minimum wage across the country.
“Unions in both Public and Private Sectors are hereby called upon to begin immediate sensitization and mobilization of Nigerian for a nation wide strike action at the expiration of this ultimatum. Anything short of N18,000 Minimum Wage is totally unacceptable.
We called this meeting out of deep sense of responsibility and duty to rein in the dangerous cacophony of outburst against law and order in our country regarding the status of the Minimum Wage Act 2011.
“Having reviewed the state of respect of the minimum wage Law, we have come to the sad realization that no level of government has implemented the law, be it federal, state or local governments, in spite of the law coming into effect since March 2011.
“In the case of the Federal Government, the Salaries and Wages Commission has been unable and or unwilling to produce a table for implementation to Federal Public Servants, and so the Federal Government has not implemented the law.
“On the part of the state governments while some are showing indication of wanting to pay, others that want to violate the constitution and the Law are inclined to blackmailing their colleagues. The Governors’ Forum in a show of reckless insensitivity to the plight of the Nigerian people have introduced strange elements into the scene, geared at subverting the process.
“Firstly, the issue of new Revenue Allocation Formula, which requires Constitutional Amendment to achieve has been touted to be condition precedent to implementation of the minimum wage. We find this as laughable and completely unacceptable as the Law is clear and unambiguous. All stakeholders were party to the formulation of the Law and we know of a fact that they can pay the N18,000 minimum wage.
“Secondly, the sadistic introduction of the oil subsidy argument, is essentially asking government to increase the prices of petroleum products and further impoverish the mass of our people. Again, we reject this, and state unequivocally that there can be no conditionalities for payment of the new minimum wage.
“Labour will never succumb to the blackmail of the masses to accept an increase in fuel prices. Any attempt to increase the prices of petrol in guise of deregulation will be resisted, and organized Labour is willing, ready and capable of leading the Nigeria people on mass resistance against such unprovoked, unpatriotic move.
“Our attention has also been drawn to the fact that some state governors are applying the twin evil tools of intimidation and timid compromise on the workers leadership in their states by threatening mass sack, and high taxation. We hereby serve notice that any state government that indulges in this or induces an illicit agreement to pay less than N18,000, will have to contend with a most robust form of resistance ever in the annals of workers solidarity in our country.
“Given the above manifest reluctance or failure of federal and state governments to implement the minimum wage, which has consequently caused implementation inertia in the private sector, organized labour under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress hereby issue a two week ultimatum for full implementation of the minimum wage across the country.
“Unions in both Public and Private Sectors are hereby called upon to begin immediate sensitization and mobilization of Nigerian for a nation wide strike action at the expiration of this ultimatum. Anything short of N18,000 Minimum Wage is totally unacceptable.
The organized labour yesterday shunned all entreaties by government and declared that it was going ahead with its planned nationwide strike over alleged non-readiness of the Federal Government and some state governors to implement the new N18, 000 national minimum wage.
Consequently, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) gave government up to Tuesday, July, 19 to comply with their demands after which it will commence a three-day warning strike, beginning on Wednesday, July, 20 to Friday, July 22.
The general strike, according to the organised labour, would be against the federal, state and local governments as well as the private sectors.
President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar, who gave the warning yesterday at a press conference held after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC), expressed dismay over the attitude of both the federal and state government to implement the N18, 000 minimum wage which was signed into law in March 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said the NLC was left with no option than to embark on strike.
“As a result of the above, the labour movement calls a three day general strike accross the country with effect from Wednesday, July 20 to Wednesday, July 22.
“Failure to do anything about the full implementation of this minimum wage, Nigerian workers will be ready to embark on an indefinite strike to be announced at a later date.”
The NLC president further warned that the attempted decision by the Federal Government to make the new national minimum wage implementation applicable only to workers on Grade Level 01-06 in the federal service would not be accepted by the NLC, saying that the minimum wage had a national applicability and affects all workers, irrespective of sector and grade level.
At the press briefing that lasted for about 10 minutes, the NLC president said: “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC has painfully observed that over three months since the minimum wage became law, no government whether federal, state or local government has implemented it. Also, no private sector employer has paid the new wage.
“Although many state governments have promised to pay, there is no negotiated payment table on which the minimum wage is based. Unfortunately, state governors are allowing their colleagues to hold them to ransom on the implementation of the new national minimum wage.
“Even the Federal Government has also fallen foul of the minimum wage law. The attempted decision by the Federal Government to make the new national minimum wage implementation applicable only to workers on Grade Level 01-06, is not acceptable to us.
“We observed that the national minimum wage has a national applicability and affect all workers irrespective of sector or grade. Therefore both the payment table and the implementation circular presented by the Federal Government are rejected by the congress,” he said.
Comrade Omar who said that labour had expected the federal government to set a good example as a good employer by paying above the minimum base of N18, 000, in line with the labour-federal government understanding in year 2000, where it was agreed that the federal government, Lagos and oil producing states would pay higher than the minimum wage, expressed sadness that the same government has fallen foul of the minimum wage law.
To this end, he said the NEC has resolved that “given the non implementation of the minimum wage by the federal, states and local governments as well as the private sector, the labour movement is left with alternative than to defend the minimum wage law, interest of working people and the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian populace to live above poverty line”.
He pointed out that “we also have the historical duty to hold government accountable to the people and ensure that governments at all levels obey the laws of the land”.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO ADVICE THEM? CAN YOU ADVICE NLC IN THIS REGARD? HOW WOULD YOU ADVICE THE GOVERNMENT?
CHANGE CAN BE EFFECTED BY YOU!
UBONG EDEM
CHANGE CAN BE EFFECTED BY YOU!
UBONG EDEM
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