Averting strike over National Minimum Wage

The lingering dispute between organised labour and the three tiers of government on their failure to implement the National Minimum Wage Act enters a critical stage as the two-week ultimatum issued by workers on the matter expires tomorrow. In the absence of rapprochement, labour may ground the country with a nationwide industrial action anytime from tomorrow.

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Peter Esele, left no one in doubt of their resolve to call a strike during a press conference on June 30.

Although the Federal and State governments have agreed to pay the new wages, it has so far not been done. State governors have also not rescinded their demand for removal of fuel subsidy and a review of the revenue sharing formula as conditions for implementation.

The NLC and TUC are well within their rights to declare a trade dispute with the government. Nigerian workers have, indeed, been patient in their reaction to the failure of government to implement the new structure. The battle that led to the passing of the National Minimum Wage bill and its signing into law by President Goodluck Jonathan has been long and tortuous.

The refusal of state governments to pay the new salaries on the excuse of insufficient funds is, therefore, unacceptable. It is, indeed, provocative. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives, on Wednesday last week, backed the governors' call for removal of fuel subsidy before payment of the new wages.
Let the Federal Government, state governors that are still adamant on this matter and the National Assembly save Nigerians the stress of a national strike.

The cost of shutting down the economy will be huge and the increase will still be paid. So, why not pay now? One major reason for the debacle that the minimum wage issue has become is the lack of respect for agreements freely entered into by Nigerian governments. Government accepted in principle to pay the increased salaries during negotiations at which state governments were represented.

The governments accepted in principle to pay the increased salaries, and they should just do so now. It will be irresponsible of the authorities to allow a strike get off ground. To avert a crisis, let the matter be resolved expeditiously.

Governors and federal legislators who are insisting on removal of fuel subsidy to get funds to pay the higher salaries do not have the interest of the people at heart. They know this will lead to serious inflation, even when only a small percentage of Nigerians are civil servants who will immediately benefit from the higher wages.

We advise state governments to be creative in the search for funds to pay the new wage. All tiers of government should cut down wastage to free funds for higher wages for civil servants and infrastructure development.
State governments should not prevaricate on a matter like this. It calls to question their personal integrity and sense of responsibility. Let them not delay the execution of a law that has general support of the people.
President Goodluck Jonathan, during his campaigns, promised Nigerians a transformational government. Certainly, he cannot afford to be at loggerheads with the human resources required to achieve the feat.

We unequivocally support labour in the quest for higher wages. Let the state governors call labour leaders and discuss the timelines for the implementation of the Minimum Wage law. The new wage is already a law, so the amount to be paid should no longer be negotiated. Now is the time to decide when the payment will commence.
Let there be sincerity of purpose on this matter.

Latching onto fuel subsidy removal as a condition for payment of the new wages is gratuitous because the amount the government says it spends on fuel subsidy yearly is, itself, suspect. We think the government is just taking advantage of the well known lethargy of Nigerians on issues relating to their welfare to prevaricate on the minimum wage issue. Government, rather, should see workers as partners in progress with whom they need to achieve synergy to move the nation forward.

We, however, urge labour to tarry a while and reconsider this strike. Let labour leaders allow time for dialogue with the governors on take-off date of the new wage structure.

still in need of some information? search this site:

LOVE THE ARTICLE ABOVE?
Receive Updates: subscribe to Imo Herald in a reader or sign up for Free Email Updates