BY FRANCIS EZEM

Barring any last minute change in the scheme of things, the organised groups comprising Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, United Labour Congress ULC and the Trade Union Congress TUC have concluded plans to resume a nationwide strike on November 6, to protest seeming Federal Government’s reluctance to pay workers the N30, 000 minimum wage from the current N18, 000.

Recall that the groups had September 27 embarked on a nationwide strike over the minimum wage issue, which was suspended two days later to pave the way for negotiation.

However the decision of the workers to threaten to resume the strike action follows the failure of both parties to reach an agreement since the came down from its former N50, 000 demands to N30, 000 while the government insists it will pay N24, 000. The labour unions in Nigeria say they would commence a nationwide, indefinite strike from November 6 if government does not meet their demands.

Presidents of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, and his ULC, Joe Ajaero, who issue this threat in a press statement, Sunday, said that the labour unions are angry at government’s stance on new minimum wage for workers.

According to them, the Federal Government insists it will could only increase the minimum wage from the current N18, 000 to N24, 000, claiming no amount was agreed with the labour leaders at a meeting of the tripartite committee also involving the private sector.

“It is not true that we proposed N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

“It is also not true that the committee did not agree on a figure during its last sitting. We accepted N30, 000 as a compromise to demonstrate the willingness of Nigerian workers to make sacrifices towards nation building,” the labour leaders said.

The duo said it has become necessary for the Organised Private Sector OPS as represented in the tripartite committee to speak up on this matter.

“Keeping silent in the face of this apparent mischief does our nation no good. At this time the OPS does not have any other choice but to rise to the occasion by telling Nigerians what transpired in the meeting.

“What we are waiting for is for the federal government to immediately set in motion the necessary machinery for turning the agreement into a Bill for onward submission to the NASS where we expect the presidency to work together with the legislators to make it a law so that it can be implemented quickly.”

They said labour unions in Nigeria have not seen any sign of seriousness on the government’s part to resolve workers’ concerns.

“October 30, 2018 has been declared a day of national outrage and mourning which will be used to sensitise Nigerians on our plight and on the issues at stake. This shall take place in all states of the federation including Abuja on Tuesday, the 30th day of October, 2018,” they said.

They said the Joint Central Working Committee CWC meeting of all the labour centres in Nigeria will hold to receive reports and make final preparations for our ultimate engagement with the Federal Government on the matter on November 2.