New minimum wage: NLC warns FG against missing timeline for payment

The Nigeria Labour Congress has cautioned the Federal Government against missing the timeline for the implementation of the new national minimum wage for workers.

The new wage is expected to take effect from August, 2018.

The NLC President , Ayuba Wabba , handed down the warning on Monday during a pre – May Day symposium jointly organised by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress in Abuja .

The theme of the 2018 May Day Celebration is, “ Role of Labour and Workers in National Devolvement: Dare to Struggle and We Dare to Win. ”

Wabba said , “ The organised labour will ensure that the timeline set by the Tripartite Committee on the Implementation of the National Minimum Wage is not altered . ”

He added , “ Workers, who create wealth , must also be well taken care of as we are not unmindful of the situation of the Nigerian workers , particularly with the increasing inflation in the land .

“ So , clearly speaking , the minimum wage is an issue we will continue to canvass for . I want to assure you all that we will take the issue to the next level and essentially we are going to win . ”

The NLC president said this year’ s May Day celebration would be used to address issues affecting workers , noting that they must be prepared to demand a better working condition and welfare.

“ Importantly , we are going to interrogate how far the democratic process has been able to deliver on its mandate and how workers have been faring. Workers have contributed immensely to our national development and workers create the wealth of every economy, however , they are neglected, ” he said .

He called on the Federal Government to address the issue of governance , inequality gap, unemployment and development, among others in the country.

Wabba added that organised labour would continue to canvass for better policy options that would be beneficial to the working people, while decrying the incessant killings across the country.

Earlier, Prof. Onje Gwardo of the Faculty of Law , University of Jos , had called for commitment among workers in the discharge of their duties .

Gwardo , in a lecture , said this commitment should include commitment to work , ideas , and national development.

“ We have some level of commitments that have been exemplified by those who have gone before us , ” he said , noting that the issue of the minimum wage must be placed on the front burner.

In Edo State , Governor Godwin Obaseki assured workers in the state that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare through improved work conditions and the prompt payment of salaries.

Obaseki disclosed this in a statement made available to
The Us on Monday to congratulate civil servants as they mark the 2018 May Day in Benin.

The governor said , “ Our commitments to the regular payment of your salaries, pensioners’ entitlements and the clearing of the backlog of pension arrears as well as regular promotions are non -negotiable.

“ We have commenced training of our workers to deepen their problem- solving skills . Our ongoing health reforms include a health insurance scheme that will make access to quality health care easier and affordable.

“ Workers’ Day is a day for taking stock of our collective input, outcomes and impact and I am proud to say that our modest achievements could not have been possible without your full support. ”

Also , the Cross River State Governor , Prof. Ben Ayade , on Monday donated N 50m to the state chapter of the NLC for the completion of its secretariat.

Ayade made the donation when he visited the NLC building, also known as the Labour House, which is currently being constructed in Calabar.

He said , “ For doing so much with the little I gave you , I am encouraged to do more . In order to get this project completed I give you N 50m . ”

Speaking earlier in Calabar, the state NLC Chairman , Mr . John Ushie, said the visit of the governor was very important to the organised labour.

Meanwhile, telecommunications firm , Globacom, has also sent out felicitations to the Nigerian workers on the occasion of the 2018 Workers’ Day on May 1.

The firm described Nigerian workers as some of the most resilient , hardworking and steadfast workforce in the world .

Globacom, in a press release from its head office on Monday , lauded the doggedness and committment of Nigerian workers in the face of daunting challenges .

It said Nigerian workers remained pivotal to the sustenance of the nation ’ s economy, even as it urged them to redouble their efforts and remain dedicated to duty .

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Opeyemi Bamidele , has assured the workers in Ekiti State that they will soon be receiving commensurate values for their services.

He saluted the workers for not betraying emotions and trust despite being owed eight months ’ salary arrears, thereby subjecting them to untold hardship.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Monday by his Media Aide , Ahmed Salami, congratulating the workers on the 2018 edition of Workers’ Day , Bamidele appealed to the workers to embrace the APC in the coming governorship election in the state.