Minimum wage: NLC, TUC asks FG to implement or face industrial action

- The NLC and TUC have warned the federal government of an impending industrial crisis if negotiation on minimum wage is not settled soon

- The negotiation on the new wage was to fine tune the adjustment of salaries to be reflective of the N30,000 least payment

- The body accused the government of causing needless delay even though there was already established salary structure to follow

The joint body of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has given a strong warning to the federal government of a likely industrial crisis if the committee on the new minimum wage does not get back soon.

The body, through a letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha said they were disappointed that there was no progress in the meeting that was held on the new pay, The Sun reports.

It should be noted that the said meeting was between the Joint National Public Services Negotiating Council and government on the adjustment of salaries from the introduction of the N30,000 wage.

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The letter which was dated Wednesday, July 17, and signed by both the NLC and TUC was a follow-up on the one sent by the council on Tuesday, July 16 on the negotiation.

Also worthy of note is that only affiliates of the two labour bodies were involved in the meeting held in the past. The NLC and TUC, are now demanding that they would be active in future meetings on the negotiation for the new salary adjustment.

The letter read: “We would wish to commence this letter by first commending Mr president for setting up this committee in which we all had confidence to expeditiously work out the modalities for relativity and any other consequential effect that may arise from the new national minimum wage.

“Our optimism was hinged on the fact that this would not be the first time we would be having this type of committee.”

The group also lamented the fact that the government’s team is using unnecessary delay that has not been helpful or shows how things are to be done.

The letter further added: “The option of a staggered implementation conveyed in a press statement by the chairman of the salaries and wages commission is similarly not in good faith, for the notion of staggered implementation is both divisive and catastrophic.

“It is important to note that the national minimum wage has always been implemented holistically in acknowledgement of the fact that we all go to the same market. In light of this and the need to head off a major industrial crisis, we would urge you to do all that is necessary to ensure that the meeting of the committee is reconvened with NLC and TUC.”

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the head of civil service of the federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, on Monday, July 22, attributed the delay in the full implementation of the minimum wage to the unrealistic demands by labour unions.

Oyo-Ita, who made this known in Abuja at a two-day retreat for top management staff of her office, however, said negotiations were on between the government and the unions.

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Minimum Wage: Is N30,000 Too Much for FG to Pay Workers? - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng