Despite pressure from the federal government, the organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC), yesterday insisted on commencing a nationwide strike to demand a quick implementation of a new minimum wage for workers in the country. There is palpable fear in the land that baring any last minute change of plan, the industrial action may ground government and other business activities across the country. As at last night, motorists and other consumers of petroleum products across the country involved themselves in panic buying of the products for fear of the strike action by organised labour. Fueling the apprehension, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, told journalists at a press briefing yesterday that public offices, schools, banks and other places of work are expected to comply with the strike action, which is bound to shutdown the economy. According to Wabba, it became obvious that the government did not intend to keep its promise of implementing a new minimum wage for workers.
He pointed out that the industrial action became the last resort following federal government’s refusal to reconvene the meeting of the tripartite national minimum wage committee to enable it conclude its work.

He said, ” The action is in compliance with the decision of the various organs of the organised labour which endorsed the 14-day ultimatum served on the federal government by members of the Organised Labour who are members of the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage. “The Labour organs further mandated their leadership to take all necessary steps, including a warning strike in the first instance to compel the government to reconvene the meeting of the Committee in order to bring it to a logical conclusion. In compliance with this mandate, all workers in the public and private sectors at all levels across the country have been directed to comply”. Noting that economic activities, both in the private and public sectors, will be grounded today, Wabba said, “Industrial unions, state councils, all worker organistions and our civil society allies have been directed to step up mobilization of their members.
“All public and private institutions, offices, banks, schools, public and private business premises including filling stations are to remain shut till further notice.
“All those who mean well for this country are to see to the success of this action. Further more, this action is to remain in force until further directives are given”.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the national minimum wage committee, which was inaugurated in November 2017, had commenced work in March 2018 with timelines to deliver on its mandate of arriving at a new national minimum wage between August and September 2018.



The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, had in February this year during the 40th anniversary celebration of the NLC, assured workers that they would have a new minimum wage in September. The NLC president said the claims by state governors that they cannot pay salary is due to high level of corruption, excessive cost of governance, indulgence in obscene lifestyle, white elephant projects and not lack of funds. He said, “Indeed, government ought to have commended workers and their unions for waiting patiently for two years before commencing negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage. We advise that our disposition should not be taken for granted.
Meanwhile, the federal government yesterday said the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage will reconvene its meeting on October 4 to conclude its negotiation process.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said this while addressing journalists after a closed meeting with the leadership of organised labour.
The minister earlier met with organised labour leaders who were also part of the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage to update them on government decision.
“One of the ways that we going to show it is by implementing the new national minimum wage and this we need to fix a base for the lowest paid worker in Nigeria. We are resuming next week, precisely on Thursday, October 4, and the meeting may spillover to October 5, as we normally use two days for the meeting. So, we are reconvening the meeting on the October 4, and all the process have being put in place”, he said.

The minister noted that the Labour leaders have been informed about it and are expected to communicate to their members that there is no need to embark on the strike action.
He assured organised labour that before the meeting on the October 4, the necessary demands by organised labour would have being factored in.
The minister said, “Part of our consultation means that the Economic Management Team, which is managing the entire economy of the country, would have something to work on.
“Already, they are working on it together with the National Salaries and Wages Commission and it is expected that before that meeting on October 4, they would have been through with the work. Everything is subject to negotiation. So, on Thursday October 4, we are going back to the negotiating table”.
Ngige added that the 14-day ultimatum issued the federal government did not get to him otherwise he would have addressed it scientifically the way it should be done.
He also said that federal government was optimistic that the committee would wrap up in October and all other processes pertaining the new national minimum wage for workers in the country.

NNPC Cautions Against Panic Buying Of Fuel
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday appealed to motorists and other consumers of petroleum products across the country not to engage in panic buying of the products for fear of the planned industrial action by organised labour.
The group managing director of the Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru, said the federal government is seriously engaging the NLC and other labour unions on the issues raised.
In a statement he issued in Abuja yesterday, NNPC group general manager, group public affairs division, Ndu Ughamadu, quoted the NNPC GMD as affirming that the nation has 37-day self-sufficiency in petroleum premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol.
According to the statement, Baru assured that all the NNPC depots across the country, including the private ones engaged by the corporation on throughput basis, have an abundance of petroleum products to meet the needs of Nigerians.
He said all NNPC depot managers have been instructed to intensify products loading and other activities in their depots to avert any fallout of developments in respect of the NLC’s proposed strike.
Baru explained that the NNPC would continue to meet the products consumption needs of all Nigerians wherever they may be within the shores of the country.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/minimum-wage-labour-adamant-begins.html

Ngige is a liar. How can he say the 14 days warning strike did not get to him. His he not aware of the warning strike ?

I was even aware. His response shows he is not sincere. Can't he convey emergency meeting ? Since last year, they acted as if they do not care


I dedicated my FTC to my lovely Bunlizlaw

Very good. Nigeria as presently constituted simply doesn't work and is highly unfair and unjust.

I dedicate this 2ndTC to #AmbodeMustGo!

Ambode is a failed governor.

The thief, Thiefnubú, has little to do with it.

The truth is, Ambode is a FAILURE!!
Be honest, is Lagos better, cleaner now than when he came in?

Substandard projects, poor quality jobs by thieving contractors, bloated figures, negligence, arrogance, defiance, dirtiness, sheepishly trying to copy New York.........its endless

And don't forget sacking and throwing a priest out of his residence the next day because his wife had to stand in line like everyone else.

And APAPA WHARF area

Ambode is a failure. Ambode is a scam!!
#AmbodeMustGo!!

ETHIX:
Ngige is a liar. How can he say the 14 days warning strike did not get to him. His he not aware of the warning strike ?

I was even aware. His response shows he is not sincere. Can't he convey emergency meeting ? Since last year, they acted as if they do not care

He called it a communication gap...I thought he was a reasonable man,it is clear he is another Square peg in round hole just like most of them in this administration.

Ghen ghen

Ngige added that the 14-day ultimatum issued the federal government did not get to him otherwise he would have addressed it scientifically the way it should be done.

How true is this?

It's long over due, they should increase it joor

Sleep calls no work today

ETHIX:
Ngige is a liar. How can he say the 14 days warning strike did not get to him. His he not aware of the warning strike ?

I was even aware. His response shows he is not sincere. Can't he convey emergency meeting ? Since last year, they acted as if they do not care

I am not surprised though

The strike is uncalled for and unpopular. The timing is also very wrong since FG is yet to pay September salary. I and most of my colleagues won't be joining the strike. The labour movement should think of other ways to press for salary increment other than strike.

post=71560834:
Ngige added that the 14-day ultimatum issued the federal government did not get to him otherwise he would have addressed it scientifically the way it should be done.

How true is this?

How is business sir,u too need the increment of the minimum wage?

So no work today. Good.
All The money this govt claimed to have save. Why are they not spending it on this minimum wage

Lol

No time.Hope nah confam strike?

leo047:
How is business sir,u too need the increment of the minimum wage?

Business is going good everyday.
To God be the glory.
Waiting for salary at the end of the month stopped several years ago.
Being an Entrepreneur is the best thing you will never regret in your life.
We @ create employment.
Learn something to do with your hands and you will never ever suffer in life (with God's grace around you).
An advice Leo.

The strike is a good thing, minimum wage was part of their campaign promises, they should deliver on it and stop playing ostrich

Is it not annoying that a lot of graduates receive below 40k in Nigeria, while school cert politicians swims in millions monthly. Even if they can't make minimum wage 50k, they should negotiate to a reasonable 35k

Ko 'buru

.

Useless country... I wonder how people survive qirh 100k a month not to mention 18k minimum wage earners ... Even our Youth Corpers are there suffering and smiling in the name of service to our land. God, destroy Nigeria and rebuild it with a different brain

It is well.

Nigeria. What a country

Zzz zzz

OMG! I never experred it, that I'd face another strike before I'm through with this...when I already started my countdown
*pouts mouth, prepares to cry*

OMG! I never experred it, that I'd face another strike before I'm through with this...when I already started my countdown.
This people can really bullshit someone sha
*pouts mouth, prepares to cry*

No election in Osun ni yen

Om good

joeyswift:
Is it not annoying that a lot of graduates receive below 40k in Nigeria, while school cert politicians swims in millions monthly. Even if they can't make minimum wage 50k, they should negotiate to a reasonable 35k

So annoying,

I wish the politicians in power are also paid in civil servants salary scale