THE Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the United Labour Congress (ULC), to accept the figure proposed by the Federal Government.

Besides, he cautioned them against causing crisis, insisting that they must accept a figure based on the capacity and the ability of both the government and the private sector to pay; which underline the government’s proposed figure in line with social dialogue and the overall interest of the nation.

Ngige gave the stern warning when the new Director General (DG) of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Timothy Olawale and his predecessor, Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

The minister warned that Nigeria cannot afford another rounds of labour crisis, hence, “it is imperative for the Organized Labour to accept a new National Minimum Wage figure based on the capacity and the ability of both the government and the private sector to pay.”

He pointed out that this is in line with social dialogue and the overall interest of the nation.

He, therefore, appealed to NECA to weigh its influence on the Organized Labour to accede to the new National Minimum Wage figure mutually agreeable to all the social partners.

Ngige said: “We need to arrive at a figure which the employers can afford to pay as an employee cannot fix a figure for the employer. Rather, it must be based on collective bargaining and mutual agreement by the tripartite partners. It is not a function of moving motions or voting at the National Tripartite Negotiation committee to insist that the figure must be as the Organized Labour appears to make it look.

“There is absolutely no need to heat up the polity. The government’s proposed new Minimum Wage figure is clearly based on critical facts and indices incapable of causing disequilibrium in the economy or upturning the national social order.”

He charged the new NECA boss to exceed the impressive record of his predecessor.

“You have an enormous task ahead of you. The need for the establishment of more NECA offices across the country cannot be overemphasized so that more employers association can register with you. This is in line with the focus of our labour administration as well as in tandem with the economic policies of the present administration. The numerous private sector employers who are informal need to be brought on board the formalized private sector employers’ body.”

The Minister urged him to ensure that numerous private sector employers who are members of NECA as well as those not yet registered but are defaulting in payment of even the existing National Minimum Wage of N18,000 are made to comply with the law.

Ngige also commended the efforts of the immediate past (DG), Olusegun Oshinowo, for contributing immensely to industrial peace and harmony in the private sector and at ensuring that Nigeria was brought back to the Governing Board of the ILO employer section.

Speaking earlier, the immediate past (DG) of NECA, Olusegun Oshinowo said the new (DG), Timothy Olawale, was the best man to take over the mantle of leadership, noting that since the formation of the Association, a (DG) was for the first time sourced from the organization. He further commended the Minister for his open door policy despite opposing positions they have had to take on issues in the past.

In his remarks, the new DG thanked the Minister for the privilege of the courtesy visit and promised to match up the feat of his predecessor.

https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/169672

The word WARNED appears to be undemocratic, autocratic... What happens to the word PERSUADE.

They didn't warned themselves when they reviewed NEPA tariff, pump prices of fuel, jumbo pay for politicians, devaluing naira etc. And even planning to hike school fees of federal govt owned institutions of higher learning.

Organize Labour must be very careful cus once we miss it now, we are doom.

Is this a negotiation or threat?


Once a dictator, always one!

We will all ATIKUlate OBIdiently come 2019

Buhari and is govt have caused the increase in general price of goods and services but cannot increase workers wage to cushion the effect of his lifeless policies.

All Nigeria political corrupt leaders deserve to die all in one day!

magoo10:
Buhari and is govt have caused the increase in general price of goods and services but cannot increase workers wage to cushion the effect of his lifeless policies.

Increment in minimum wage will worsen the situation on ground instead the government should find ways to stabilize price of goods and services

Labour should know that any amount higher than the proposed 25k by the FG is not feasible as it will only cause harm to our economy we are trying to revitalize as FG can't be giving out more than what the nation earns.

asuustrike1:

Increment in minimum wage will worsen the situation on ground instead the government should find ways to stabilize price of goods and services

they will not only need to stabilize it but also revert to their former prices because at present the people cannot meet up with what is on ground yet the want to fight corruption, how do you fight corruption when the people are hungry.

The most baffling is that those in govt have not done anything to reduce their own expenses which takes a greater part of the budget, theirs is on the increase whilst the common man is left to battle inflation and it's effect. No responsible government does that

Congratulations to all the Nigerian workers that voted for Buhari. Enjoy the change you voted for.

magoo10:
they will not only need to stabilize it but also revert to their former prices because at present the people cannot meet up with what is on ground yet the want to fight corruption, how do you fight corruption when the people are hungry.

The most baffling is that those in govt have not done anything to reduce their own expenses which takes a greater part of the budget, theirs is on the increase whilst the common man is left to battle inflation and it's effect. No responsible government does that

Fighting corruption will pave way to reduce this menace we are in. The common man on the street contribute in one way or the other to price hike. Many of them are greedy and selfish like our politicians, that is why they shoot prices anyhow. Our political holders can't increase their allowances without the involvement of civil servants. If Nigerians stand their ground against this politicians, they would have a rethink. Many of us are to sentimental when it comes to religion and tribe. This are what politicians use to penetrate and divide us. By the time we out grown these -" religion and tribe ", Nigeria would be a better place.

Abeg what is progressive about the APC

chinjo:
Congratulations to all the Nigerian workers that voted for Buhari. Enjoy the change you voted for.

Unfortunately all of us are affected by the policies of the government. There is no need to congratulate Nigeria workers because many of us including yourself is affected by the policies made by the government

asuustrike1:

Fighting corruption will pave way to reduce this menace we are in. The common man on the street contribute in one way or the other to price hike. Many of them are greedy and selfish like our politicians, that is why they shoot prices anyhow. Our political holders can't increase their allowances without the involvement of civil servants. If Nigerians stand their ground against this politicians, they would have a rethink. Many of us are to sentimental when it comes to religion and tribe. This are what politicians use to penetrate and divide us. By the time we out grown these -" religion and tribe ", Nigeria would be a better place.

was it the common man that caused fuel increase
dollar rise?
Increase in political office holders expenses including feeding and all that? haba we all know that buhari's body odour caused all these including de marketing the economy and chasing away investors.

was it the common man that caused fuel increase
dollar rise

Yes they contributed. Price of things were high no doubt but many persons took advantage of it to exploit others

Increase in political office holders expenses including feeding and all that?

Yes we contributed in the increment of politician's expense. Many of knew about it yet we didn't revolt. We keep silent and only barked on the internet. When many of this politicians visited their constituency, we cheer them instead of castigating.

haba we all know that buhari's body odour caused all these including de marketing the economy and chasing away investors

Yes his body language drove out investors but the ones on ground are not finding it easy. Many of them were kidnapped and killed. Many are not safe in our land. We drove many away because of the seed of discord down by our politicians.

Isn't it now clear to us our Leaders meant no any good for the common man? How can a leader privately spending jumbo amount of money larvishingly for personal uplift and future and family exhorbitant will look at the face of the masses and sprew trash that they can't pay 24,000 minimum wage? i'm talking directly to the Governors.

Was it not PDP Yar'adua tenure that increased the minimum wage 4rm 9-19000 without much hassle difficulty? How some people still support this evil APC Political touts still baffles me cos no sane thinking individual will back this tyranical, arbitrary and directionless APC government led by a religious extremist and ethnic bigot.

Very soon when hunger and suffering will reset the mind of the gullible Nigerians who want to die for politicians.
Now workers under PMB will not be able to protest any unfavorable policy.

Very soon, the Zombies will realise that they had supported a dictator who will beat them and not allow them to cry

Lab our should get on with strike action immediately... It's time we Nigerians dictate what these useless politicians receives as allowances , entitlements and salaries...

Please, Lab our shut down the country... We need to act now...
Now is the best time...