RSG Berates NLC Over Position On Minimum Wage

The Rivers State Government has berated the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over its position on the new minimum wage recently approved by Governor Nyesom Wike and currently enjoyed by public servants in the state.
It would be recalled that the state NLC Chairperson, Comrade Beatrice Itubo, had in a statement, last Friday, rejected the payment made to workers by the state government, saying that it does not reflect the N30, 000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Itubo also said the payment by the state government was not a product of the collective bargaining between the government and labour, and called on the former to immediately reconvene a meeting of the negotiation committee on the national minimum wage without delay; noting that it would not tolerate what it termed the nonchalant attitude of the government towards workers’ welfare in the state.
But in a swift reaction, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, in a statement, said labour ought to have shown appreciation for the prompt payment of the minimum wage by the Governor Nyesom WIke-led government rather than hiding under the cover of labour to pursue political interests.
The statement reads, “Rivers State Government has challenged the state Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to make good her threat over the new minimum wage and face dire consequences.
“It is quite unfortunate that the Beatrice Itubo-led NLC rather than show appreciation to the state government for the prompt payment of the minimum wage, allowed themselves to be willing tools in the hands of politicians. NLC leadership should come out clearly to tell Rivers people that they are politicians instead of hiding under the cover of labour to propagate their political agenda.
“Rivers State Government has commenced the payment of the new minimum wage for employees of the state public service with the consequential salary adjustments as approved by the Federal Government, and will not be deterred by cheap blackmail.”
While pledging the commitment of the present administration to the welfare of its workers across the state, the statement said, it will not allow the activities of a few persons to deter the governor’s resolve to continue offering quality service to the people.
“Governor Nyesom Wike remains committed to workers’ welfare and will not allow the activities of a few disgruntled elements to dissuade his resolve to serve the people,” Nsirim added.
The statement by the state Chairman of the NLC, Beatrice Itubo had read in full, ‘’The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Rivers State Government to immediately reconvene a meeting of the negotiations committee on the new minimum wage without further delay.
“Arising from a meeting of all public sector unions affiliated to NLC at the state NLC Secretariat, today, the union resolved that what was paid to workers as January salary was not a reflection of the new national minimum wage or a product of principles of collective bargaining between the government and labour.
“NLC also insists that henceforth, it will not tolerate the nonchalant attitude of the government towards its employees, and urged workers to be alert and committed to their work as well as remain resolute as NLC will not be complacent rather must ensure that their welfare is given top priority’’.