N18,000 Minimum Wage: FG Pleads For Time …As CLO Backs NLC, TUC Planned Strike

Following the two weeks ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to the Federal and State governments to pay the N18,000 minimum wage to Nigerian workers, the federal government has urged the NLC and TUC to give it some time to address the issue.

Minister of Labour, Mr Emeka Wogu who said this while reacting to the ultimatum in Abuja said that the federal government is determined to ensure that the mistakes of the past are addressed.

Meanwhile, the Civil Liberties Organiation (CLO) has called on civil society organitions in the country to support the NLC and the TUC over the proposed minimum wage strike.

The Lagos State chairman of the organization, Mr Deji Omokwale told newsmen in Lagos that the strike by labour should be the fight for all civil society groups in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Labour Congress and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart had in a joint press briefing given the federal and state government two weeks to implement the N18,000 minimum wage.

Meanwhile, The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) says it is in support of the proposed strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the N18,000 minimum wage.

Our correspondent  reports that the bodies have threatened to call a nationwide workers’ strike by July 8 to press home enforcement of the N18,000 Minimum Wage Act.

The labour organisations on Thursday issued a two-week ultimatum to federal, state and local governments to pay the wage or face industrial unrest.

They also vowed to resist any move by the governments to impose arbitrary taxes on workers.

In an interview with newsmen the Lagos State Chairman of the CLO, Mr Ehi Omokhuale urged all civil society groups in Nigeria to support the strike.

“The strike by labour should be a fight for all civil society groups in Nigeria. Our common goal is the interest of the masses and this issue must be fought to a standstill.

The payment of the N18,000 minimum wage is sacrosanct; any negotiation is unacceptable and must be resisted’’ he said.

Omokhuale said that refusal to pay the wage by any of the tiers of government would be in breach of the constitution.

“The essence of the new wage is to give a new lease of life to Nigerian workers who have suffered so much in the midst of plenty.

“The amount even falls below the recommended N52, 200,’’ he said.

He condemned the attitude of state governors who hinged the payment on restructuring of the revenue allocation formula in favour of states.

Our correspondent reports that the Governor’s Forum recently called for allocation of 42 per cent of federal revenue to states as a condition for paying the minimum wage.

Former Head of State Abdusalami Abubakar (right) with former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, during the 18th extraordinary summit of East African Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, yesterday.