Minimum Wage: Labour Sends ‘Strong Message’ To Buhari Govt

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently conclude the discussion on the new minimum wage and move to the implementation stage.

YaahooJournalist reports that the TUC Chairman in Lagos State, Gbenga Ekundayo, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

The TUC Chairman in Lagos State maintained that the implementation of the minimum wage for grade levels one to six while leaving out the other grades was not acceptable, called for implementation across the board.

YaahooJournalist reports recalls that the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige had said that the Junior workers in the employment of the Federal Government have started receiving the N30,000 new minimum wage, a development which was confirmed by Lawrence Amaechi, the National President of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) and member of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council

Reacting to the development on Friday, Lagos TUC Chairman said: “The government implemented for grade levels one to six, leaving grades level seven upwards out, and we are still discussing around the consequential adjustment and relativity impact.

“It needs to be quickly dealt with, concluded; what needs to be done is to go to the negotiation table, discuss these issues and let us have implementation for all the workers.”

Also, TUC Secretary, Abiodun Aladetan, decried the delay in the implementation of the minimum wage, calling on the government to accept labour demands.

“It is unfortunate where we are on the minimum wage; recently, the Minister of Labour acknowledged that the government had commenced payment for those on grade levels one to six.

“This could create division within the labour circle and as a labour movement, we condemn it; it will not deter us, but have a ripple effect on the system.

“We call on government, as a matter of urgency, to discuss with labour; come to terms with these realities by accepting the demands of the labour movement,” Aladetan said.

President Buhari had signed the N30,000 minimum wage into law for Nigerian workers in April 2019 but negotiations are still on over the implementation.