Minimum wage: Labour to begin indefinite strike Wednesday

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will on Wednesday, September 26, commence industrial action for should the federal government fail to reconvene the minimum wage tripartite committee.
It would be recalled that the organised labour on September12, 2018 issued the federal government a 14-day ultimatum, following the decision of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige to adjourn indefinitely, the processes in arriving at a final figure on the minimum wage.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the congress yesterday, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the congress had decided to commence strike at the expiration of the 14 days ultimatum, vowing that the strike would not be called off until a new minimum wage is given.
“In the first place, NEC express serious concern at the unilateral adjournment of the negotiation of the new minimum wage by the federal government on the day the tripartite committee was expected to complete its assignment.
“Accordingly, NEC unanimously endorsed the actions taken so far by members of the Organised Labour, including the press conference and the two-week ultimatum.
NEC resolved to mobilise its members in order to give effect to the 2 week ultimatum.
“NEC resolved that the proposed strike would not be called off until a new minimum wage is given.
“NEC resolves that all its affiliates unions and the 36 state councils of Congress and the FCT and joint action front communicate the decision of NEC to their members and all workers,” Wabba stated.
He noted that the decision of the Minister of Labour and Employment to adjourn indefinitely, the final processes to arriving a figure on the national minimum wage violates the rules of procedure and extant agreement on timeline to round-up the committee work.
On the crisis in labour party, Comrade Wabba said the meeting condemned former Ondo state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and former chairman of the party, Abdulkadir Salam, for polarizing the party.

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