Rivers NLC Joins Nationwide Strike, Wednesday …Over Non-Implementation Of Minimum Wage

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) in a handshake with Speaker, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Mohamane Ousumane after the latter submitted documents to the President in Abuja, last Friday. Photo: NAN

The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has pledged to join the nationwide strike over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage on Wednesday.

Chairman of NLC in the state, Chief Chris Oruge in a chat with newsmen over the weekend in Port Harcourt said the action was the agreement reached at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting last week.

Though the labour chief affirmed that the state government had agreed to pay the new wage, he noted that the action was in solidarity with the national body, and therefore, called on all affiliate labour bodies to join in the three days strike.

Chief Oruge warned that labour may proceed on an indefinite strike if all attempts to prevail on the Federal Government to pay the new wage package failed.

The Rivers Labour chairman observed that the federal government had reneged on its agreement to raise workers pay, saying, “you would recall that the NLC proposed a N52,000 minimum wage which the Federal Government cut down to N18,000, yet it has become difficult for them to implement it.”

Chief Oruge continued, “strike is the last weapon labour has and we have exhausted all negotiations and the extent we have reached now, labour believes that we are being dribbled.”

The position of the state NLC, he further reiterated was to toe the line of the federal salaries, “in short we plan to enter an agreement such that anytime the FG increases salaries, the same should be done at the state level.”

Meanwhile, in a quick reaction to the NLC proposed strike, President Goodluck Jonathan said last Saturday, the issue of minimum wage with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) would be resolved amicably.

The NLC had threatened to embark on strike on Nov. 10, following government’s delay to implement an increase in minimum wage.

Jonathan, who was speaking with airport correspondents at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, was in Lagos to attend the 30th Anniversary of the Silverbird Group.

“I think it will not result in any serious industrial action. I believe that labour will agree that within this period that I have been in office that we have demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that the government is labour-friendly.

“And, if two friends are discussing on friendly things, they have no reason to exchange blows. It is when you are not discussing on friendly things that people exchange blows.

“So I believe labour will stay with us and we are also pleading with them that they should reason with us.

“The issue of the wage you know, the Federal Government presently pays N17, 000 and within this period, we raised it from N7, 500 to N17, 000, and they are talking about the minimum wage of N18, 000.

“You will agree with me that that N1, 000 difference for good people that have been friendly will not lead to any industrial action.

“And if you become very strict on the issue of minimum wage as applied elsewhere in this country, I find it very difficult to believe that presently any Federal Government staff is even earning less than N18, 000,” the President said.

He noted that the minimum wage of N18, 000 was for a level one staff on step one.

According to him, this is supposed to be for primary six holders and most of the Federal Government staff are either on level three or level four or above, noting that even these categories are few.

“If it was salary increase, I don’t think we will be discussing this matter, but this is minimum wage and because it is minimum wage, it has to pass through all the sections of government as specified by law.

“It must go to the National Assembly because the law must be made and the minimum wage does not affect only government employees and that is what Nigerians should know.

“Assuming Federal Government and States can pay and Local Governments, what of the private people who employ?

“So, if we now just go and impose a minimum wage on all Nigerians without due consultation, do you think small and medium-scale enterprises can all meet up?” the President asked.

He, however, said that nobody had said that labour’s demand would not be paid but that they should let the consultations be done properly.

According to him, this was to ensure that government would not be blamed if there were some lapses along the line.