NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba
While speaking in an interview with Nigerian Tribune, President of
the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, declared that
the Federal Government was not ready to come up with a figure for an
upward review of the minimum wage.
The NLC President accused the Federal Government and the Minister
of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige of frustrating and
delaying the process; warning that workers can’t continue to be patient.
Based on its timeline and agreement to conclude their work on
August 21, the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage which included the
organized labour, Employers and government, concluded its report last
week; but against Labour and Employers expectation, the Minister of
Labour, Senator Chris Ngige, announced that the Federal Government was
not ready with any figure.
“So, clearly speaking, they were not prepared to actually
produce a figure between fourth and fifth (September) at the meeting we
had but our report has been completed, it is just to agree at a
particular figure,” Wabba said.
According to the NLC president: “you could recall that the
committee was inaugurated in November 2017 but the committee started its
assignment in March this year due to some logistic reasons and at its
inaugural meeting, all the parties produced a work plan which spelt out
the modus and operations and the duration of the work of the committee.
“By the work plan, we are supposed to end and submit our report
by the 21st of August, unfortunately that day falls on a public holiday
and therefore it was agreed that the 4th and 5th August should be used
to complete the assignment of the committee and all members were
committed to this process of completing the work of the committee and
also forwarding it to the appropriate quarter.
“At that meeting, we were able to complete entirely the report.
But just before we conclude the Minister of Labour who spoke at that
occasion as the representative of the Federal Government said that they
needed to go and consult before they arrive at a figure and we thought
that this committee was put-in, in November and all through, everybody
is aware that all the stakeholders need to tidy up whatever
consultations or process they want to do and make sure that we are able
to work within that timeline.”
He added: “So, clearly speaking, they were not prepared to
actually produce a figure between fourth and fifth at the meeting we had
but our report has been completed, it is just to agree at a particular
figure. However, all the parameters to be used to agree on a figure also
is clearly there.”
Wabba explained that states have sent in memoranda, adding that 21
states sent in memoranda where about 12 also quoted figures, while the
Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and the organized
labour submitted figure.
The NLC president said, “so what we are waiting and what we
thought is that we should be able to complete the assignment at the
meeting. But with the new development, they said they needed to consult
and we thought also that it has not been a fair process if at this point
somebody is saying he has not consulted and that they needed to
consult.”
He said on their part, the organized Labour would meet formally and
will issue a formal statement and try to see how the interest of
Nigerian workers would not be undermined.
“This is where we are and I think, it is important we put the
fact and figures before our members. We will do that formally because we
have already called for our organs meeting where we would brief them
because it is in public domain; where both government and Labour agreed.
“When they were saying November, we said no, and everybody
agreed that the timeline must be respected. We are committed to
respecting the timeline, and that is why we left everything we are doing
to do the needful to be able to do a neat job. I can say that a good
job has been done, all the parameters you can think of have been
considered and the report is ready.”
He warned that Nigeria development would not be palatable to the workers. He added: “The
only issue is that issue which I mentioned, which we think at this
point in time it is not something that Nigerian workers will be
palatable with such news, but that is the position they took and we said
we would appropriately communicate to our people and also make sure we
are able to agree on our next line of action.
“Already, we have scheduled those meetings and at the right
time, we will inform you appropriately because it affects all Nigerian
workers both those in public and private. That is why it is essential
and very important.”