By Cross Udo, Abuja
Yesterday, the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) said the federal government lacks ideas for tackling economic challenges.
The labour group also insisted on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) position during the zonal meetings with the Tripartite Committee of the Minimum Wage, where it had proposed about N907,000 as the new minimum wage.
Speaking at the 58th Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja chapter, the Federal Council Chairman, Comrade Adoga Gupada Aruwa, alleged that Nigeria is at the mercy of foreign agencies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) whose policies are said to be anti-people.
He said, “I must inform you that our dear country is faced with many challenges. The most vital of these challenges is the economic challenge. You will agree that our government has yet to have a concrete solution to these challenges.
“We seem to be at the mercy of international agencies, such as the IMF, which are trying to direct our economic affairs. This, of course, may lead to job losses.”
Aruwa called for unity among workers, stressing that the country’s times required encouragement among members, especially on issues outside their primary assignment.
He said, “Comrades, I don’t want us to be repeating ourselves in the area of insecurity because it appears our government has no solution. The consequence of this is that banditry will continue to thrive.”
Troops neutralise 213 terrorists, apprehend 283 others in one week
*Insists on N907,000 new minimum wage
On the issue of minimum wage, he said that labour is looking forward to a more sustainable living wage and is insisting on the N907,000 proposal by the NLC.
“The National minimum wage, we no longer have the wage that can take us home. So, the NLC, TUC, and all the affiliates are on the same page in the struggle that the government should increase our national minimum wage to meet our current challenges due to the high cost of living.”
Explaining the essence of the meeting, he said, “The purpose of this meeting is to create awareness and sensitize our workers on the current happenings in the country. It is a constitutional meeting we typically conduct twice a year. This is the first of this year.
Also, the Assistant General Secretary of NSCU, Comrade Daniel Otakpo, said Nigerians are suffering due to the fuel subsidy removal because there was no adequate preparation to caution the effect.
He said, “First, ask yourself how the President and Commander-in-Chief removed the fuel subsidy. We are aware that he was not quite prepared for the removal of the fuel subsidy because before fuel subsidies should be removed, you should have put in place some programmes
“No programme was put in place; he just made an announcement thinking it would be as easy as he thinks. Since the removal of fuel subsidy, Civil Service especially have been finding life very difficult despite the wage award.”
