The Federal Government of Nigeria set up a committee to review the minimum wage of Nigeria workers some months ago. The committee was set up for upward review of the workers minimum wage. Labour leaders have met with the Federal Government on several occasions to dialogue and bargain for the acceptable minimum wage for the Nigeria worker. It is worthy to note that minimum wage is reviewed every five years.

The Nigeria Labour Congress Trade Union Congress and the affiliate Unions have frantic effort to convince the Federal Government to implement the new minimum wage in September, 2018 but to no avail. But every effort of the Labour Leaders was abortive as government was unable to heed to the clarion call of the Nigeria worker.

The strike would have been averted if the Federal Government had done the needful by implementing the new minimum wage in September. The meeting with the Labour Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige with Labour Leaders, ended in a deadlock, which means nothing substantial, was arrived at. The present eighteen Thousand Naira minimum wage of Nigeria worker has made life miserable for the average worker in the country. The high cost of goods and services is a threat to Nigerian workers. According to Everest Amaefule and Adelani Adepegba, online punch, the Nigeria Labour Congress has directed all its members and affiliate unions to commence a nationwide warning strike on Thursday, 27th September, 2018. The organized labour had held a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Abuja on Wednesday, which did not produce the expected outcome.

The NLC president, Ayuba Wabba said the industrial action would commence due to the refusal of the Federal Government to reconvene the meeting of the tripartite national minimum wage committee to enable it to conclude its work he said, "In compliance with this mandate, all workers and private sector at all levels across the country have been directed to comply. All public and private institutions, offices, banks, schools, public and private business premises including filling stations are to remain shut till further notice", he said.

In the words of NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, "part of our consultation means the economic management team would have something to work on. Already, they are working on it, the National Salaries Incomes and

Wages Commission is working on it and it is expected that before the October meeting, they would have been through with the work". Dr. Chris Ngige said a bill would still have to go through the National Assembly after approval by the Federal Executive Council. The Federal Government of Nigeria should step up its speed to come up with the agreeable minimum wage for Nigerian worker.

The option of strike by NLC might not be the best but it is observed that Government in Nigeria always respond to Labour unions' demands when there is an enforcement of industrial action. That is so unfortunate in this part of the world.

Strike does no one any good. Therefore, there is need for serious dialogue and resolution of the minimum wage issue within the shortest possible time to avoid untold hardship on the poor masses. The state of the economy is critical. The plight of workers and all citizens should be looked into by the Federal Government of Nigeria. And prompt action taken to ameliorate the suffering in the country.

The Federal Government should not allow Labour Unions to engage in a prolonged strike, as that would adversely affect the economy and the livelihood of Nigerians. No Nigerian is happy with strike. And that is the more reason why the government should expedite action in making sure that the minimum wage is implemented.read more
http://thebeaconewsnigeria.com/2018/10/the-new-minimum-…-of-strike-frank/