By Clement Adeyi and Cross Udo, Abuja
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and their Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), counterparts yesterday put their civil society allies on notice over their planned industrial action if the government fails to reverse the hike in electricity tariff and conclude the minimum wage by May 31.
In their joint communique, leaders of the two labour centres, gave the federal government and National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, month ending to reverse the hike.
The communique jointly signed by Comrades Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, and Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, reiterated their May 31 ultimatum for the government to conclude the new minimum wage or face a national strike.
The communique read in full: “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) convened today in an emergency meeting in response to the pressing national issues affecting Nigerian workers, namely, the recent hike in electricity tariff, the ongoing negotiation of a new national minimum wage with the federal government and the Persisting non-compliance with the 2019 National Minimum wage Act by some state Governments in Nigeria.
“NEC-in-session observed as follows: Whereas the NLC and TUC had embarked on a one-day nationwide Picketing of all NERC offices and DISCOs in protest of the illegal hike in electricity tariff while demanding a reversal from NERC and the federal government without the desired result.
“Whereas the Federal Government’s refusal to comply with the dictates of the 2019 National Minimum Wage Act in constituting the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee later than six months to the expiration of the existing one; the deliberate delays in good faith negotiations which has compelled the NLC and TUC to give the federal government until the last day of May, 2024 to complete everything about the New National Minimum Wage fixing process;
“Whereas the federal government has not shown any serious sign of ensuring that the New National Minimum Wage process is concluded accordingly;
“Whereas some state governments are still refusing to pay the N30,000 National Minimum Wage as stipulated in the 2019 National Minimum Wage Act.
“After thorough deliberations and considerations of these current realities as they affect Nigerian workers and masses, the NEC-in-session of both centres resolved as follows:
Minimum wage: Labour agrees to attend Tuesday talks
“Electricity Tariff Hike: The NEC once again vehemently condemns the unilateral increase in electricity tariff by the authorities. This action, taken without due consideration for the economic hardships faced by the masses and the provisions of the Law, is deemed unjust and burdensome.
“The NEC reaffirms its demands for an immediate reversal of the tariff hike and the vexatious apartheid categorization into Bands to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and citizens and gives the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government until the last day of May 2024 to meet these demands.
“Negotiation of New National Minimum Wage: The NEC acknowledges the ongoing negotiations between the NLC/TUC, the Organised Private Sector (OPS), and the federal government regarding the new national minimum wage.
“While appreciating the efforts made thus far, the NEC emphasizes the urgency of reaching a fair and equitable agreement that reflects the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of government’s policies.
“The NEC affirms its commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process.
“The NEC-in-session therefore reiterates the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC to the federal government, which expires on the last day of this month. It emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the demands put forth by Nigerian workers and urges the government to prioritize the resolution of these issues in the best interest of industrial peace.
“NEC-in-session further directed all state Councils whose state Governments are yet to fully implement the N30,000 (Thirty-thousand Naira) National Minimum Wage and its consequential adjustments to issue immediately a joint two-week ultimatum to the culpable state Governments to avert industrial action.
“Consequently, the NEC-in-session accordingly reaffirms the NLC and TUC joint ultimatum earlier issued by the Anambra state government by its Anambra state councils.
“It therefore directed all affiliates and workers in the state council to mobilize their members to ensure a successful action in the event the state government fails to meet the demands of workers by Thursday, the 23rd of May, 2024.
“If the government fails to meet the demands outlined within the stipulated timeframe, the NEC authorizes the leadership of the NLC and TUC to take appropriate actions, including but not limited to the mobilization of workers for peaceful protests and industrial actions, to press home these demands for social justice and workers’ rights.
“NEC therefore calls on all affiliate unions, and workers including Civil Society Organisations across Nigeria to remain united and steadfast in solidarity during this critical period.
“Together, we shall prevail in our pursuit of a fair and just society that guarantees the dignity and well-being of all its citizens. The NECs-in-session finally affirms its unwavering commitment to championing the cause of Nigerian workers and ensuring that their rights and interests are upheld at all times.”
*Agree to resume wage negotiations with govt today
Meanwhile, the Organised Labour comprising the NLC and TUC have agreed to attend a meeting of the minimum wage Tripartite Committee slated for today (Tuesday) for negotiation of minimum wage for workers.
The Vice President of TUC, Mr Etim Okon, disclosed this in Abuja yesterday.
Okon said, “The Federal Government has apologised and the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and we are going to appear and present our demand.
“We will still be presenting the N615,000 demand. It was what we presented before we walked out, though our submission was not rejected by the government.
“We only rejected the N48,000 that the government presented, because they did not show us how they arrived at that amount. The proposal falls short of meeting our needs and aspirations.”
Recall that the NLC and TUC had walked out of the negotiation meeting last week when the FG proposed N48,000 as a new minimum wage for civil servants because they claimed that the proposed wage was grossly inadequate as a take-home pay for workers.
They added that it was an insult to the sensibilities of the Nigerian workers.
ThisNigeria gathered that the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, Alhaji Goni, had confirmed in a letter of invitation to labour leaders that negotiation would continue today (Tuesday).
