- MAN, CSOs disagree as workers disrupt Abuja May Day rally
- Gombe govt is set to pay N56,000 minimum wage – Gov. Dankwambo
The Federal Government on Monday reassured the Nigeria workers of Government’s commitment to grant priority attention, including a speedy passage of the new National Minimum Wage.
President Muhammadu Buhari stated this in Abuja in a May Day message to workers on the occasion of marking the 2017 Workers’ Day Rally with the theme, “Labour Relations in Economic Recession: An Appraisal”.
“I am happy to inform you that Government will give expeditious consideration to the proposal contained in the Technical Committee’s Report which was submitted to it on April 6, 2017.
“Government will take necessary steps to implement the final recommendation of the Main Government/Labour Committee as it relates to the setting up the new National Minimum Wage Committee and the needed palliatives.
“This is in order to reduce the discomfort currently being experienced by the Nigerian working class.
“I want to assure you that government will continue to do all at its disposal to better the lots of all Nigerians and more importantly to provide a commensurate welfare for all Nigerian workers”, President Buhari stated, stressing his awareness of the biting effects of the ongoing economic recession in the country and it’s huge implication for the seamless conduct of industrial relations.
He also noted the multiplier impact of the economic recession which by its nature was characterised by a substantial risk of the “vicious circles of low- productivity; and stressed that the Government was assiduously working towards curbing the menace of mass retrenchment of workers and closure of workplaces due to high cost of doing business; unregulated subcontracting and outsourcing with its consequences on welfare of workers among others.
“I strongly salute your great sense of patriotism and loyalty to the country, ”he said, calling for effective deployment of labour relations, and an amalgamated approach that would be used in creating a conducive work environment that would further attract foreign investment for wealth creation.
He stressed the need for government, workers and employers to work together to put out the economy from the recession.
“Therefore, I called on the organised labour to continue to partner with this administration by resorting to social dialogue as an indispensable tool for conflict resolution
“Today, we stand in solitary with workers all over the world to commemorate this historic Day which marked a turning point in the economies of the nations and the welfare of the working class, ”he added.
He commended the organised labour for their support and encouragement to the administration’s fight against corruption which was the bane of sustainable economic development.
He added that, “my commitment to fight against corruption is total and irreversible. We must fight corruption before it destroys us.
“As a matter of fact, the workers should be in the forefront of activities in the realisation of the Whistle Blowing Policy of this Administration,” he said, emphasizing the need for support and cooperation, while adding that government was determined to restore growth, investment in people and also building a global competitive economy to its full realisation.
In the meantime, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on Monday, disagreed with two civil society organisations on workers’ demand for N56,000 minimum wage.
While the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders supported the workers’ call for the review of the minimum wage, MAN and the ACCI said the economy could not sustain N56,000 minimum wage.
This followed the disruption of the 2017 May Day rally at the Eagle Square in Abuja by angry workers over the failure of the Federal Government to approve a new Minimum Wage for workers in the country.
The workers insisted that the Federal Government had a responsibility to give them a definite position on the lingering issue of a new Minimum Wage in the country.
The aggrieved workers also faulted the absence of the President and his deputy from the event, where they expected either of the two to address them on the issues of survival affecting them.
The incensed workers rejected all pleas by their leaders as they chanted “no! We need a new Minimum Wage.”
They insisted that the N18,000 minimum wage has become inadequate to feed their families and indeed to survive in the face of the biting effects of the economic recession in the country.
Trouble started when the workers, who had gathered in front of the podium to listen to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, were told that the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Abiola Bawa, was to address them on his behalf.
This seemed to have angered the workers, who insisted that the minister should address them on the issue of the minimum wage while they would wait to see the representative of the President.
In another development, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has assured the state’s civil servants that his government would immediately implement the proposed N56, 000 national minimum wage, if the federal government approves it.
Mr. Dankwambo gave the assurance at the commemoration of 2017 Workers’ Day in Gombe on Monday.
The governor was represented by his deputy, Charles Iliya, who is currently the acting governor.
“As soon as the Federal Government approves the new minimum wage, our administration will implement it within the limit of our resources,’’ he said.
He called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Nigerians to be resilient and support government efforts aimed at moving the country out of current economic recession.
“Our administration accords top priority to the welfare of civil servants whose selfless service contributed immensely to the socio-economy development of our dear state,’’ he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Aliyu Kamara, the state chairman, NLC, appealed to the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency approve the new minimum wage submitted by the technical committee.
He said that approval of the new minimum wage became necessary, considering the current economic recession and the attendant high cost of goods and services in the country.
Mr. Kamara also appealed to state government to consider all issues presented to it during the interactive session held between labour leaders and government.
He noted that this year theme entitled, “Labour Relations in Economic Recession an Appraisal’’ could not have come at a better time, considering the numerous challenges facing Nigerian workers.
Mr. Kamara, however, commended the state government for prompt payment of salaries and allowances of civil servants, employment and the release of N2 billion for the payment of gratuities to retirees.
Also in his remarks, Daniel Musa, the state’s head of service, called on workers to continue to support the government.
Mr. Musa assured the workers that with the authentic data of the civil servants, identification cards with pin number would soon be issued to civil servants.
He expressed optimism that the effort would improve the service and detect lazy workers.
Additional report from Punch
