The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has responded to President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day Speech, in which he promised a new minimum wage for workers. They claim that Tinubu did not give them the much-anticipated gift on June 12.
In a statement on behalf of the union, Ag. President of NLC, Comrade Prince Adewale Adeyanju, stated that while the President may have correctly narrated some historical events related to our democratic path, it is clear that he is clearly unaware of the outcome of the wage negotiating process.
He stated that it would have been a befitting present for Democracy Day if the President had combined the two numbers that the Tripartite Committee had given him in behalf of the working class and the masses.
The President is quoted as saying, “I will always listen to the people and I will never turn my back on you as we continue to reform the economy.”
In keeping with this, we have been transparent and sincere in our negotiations with organised labour over a new national minimum wage. We are about to submit an executive measure to the National Assembly that would codify the agreements reached into law for the next five years or less.
We did not try to repress or crack down on the workers in response to labor’s request for a nationwide strike, as a dictatorship administration would have. We opted for collaboration over confrontation.
Read Also: NLC President Ajaero Clarifies: Proposed N105,000 Minimum Wage Not Endorsed by Labour
There were no threats or arrests. Instead, a meeting to break bread and work towards a sincere settlement was extended to the labour leadership.
Despite a few bumps along the way, Adeyanju stated that organised labour values the President’s dedication to these noble democratic principles, which allowed the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee’s work to continue undisturbed.
In order to reconcile the two figures that the Tripartite Committee presented to him in favour of the working class and the masses, he said that Labour had expected Mr. President to use this understanding as one of those who was leading the charge in the fight with us across the country to free Nigeria from the military. That present would have been appropriate for Democracy Day.
The Acting President of the National Labour Congress (NLC) stated that the NLC would have anticipated the President’s advisors to inform him that no agreement was achieved with the federal government or employers over the base amount or other components of a National Minimum Wage. We have not received any convincing arguments to modify our demand, which is still N250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand Naira), which we view as a significant concession made by Nigerian workers during the three-way negotiating process.
“Thus, we are taken aback by Mr. President’s submission regarding a purported agreement. We think it’s possible that he was duped into thinking there was a deal with the TUC and NLC.
“There was none, and in order to prevent confusion in the ongoing discussion on the national minimum wage, it is crucial that we make this clear to the President, Nigerians, and other national stakeholders right away. We will not accept any document that has been altered, and we have not seen a duplicate of the one that was sent to him.
But we would want to reiterate that we think the President, whose desk the Tripartite Committee report is currently sitting on, will draft an Executive Bill whose contents would accurately represent the demands of Nigerian labourers. We believe that by rejecting advice that might be coming from people whose main goal is to harm Nigeria’s impoverished and struggling workers, he will be able to show his love for the country’s workers and the people. The President of Nigeria must prevent these people and organisations from undermining his pledge to pull Nigerian labourers out of poverty.
It is clear that the president’s advisors misled him about the reality of the intimidation and harassment of labour union leaders. It is crucial that Mr. President realises that his operatives may have threatened us multiple times without getting his permission.
“Media series” Senior government officials have conducted and continue to wage propaganda against the trade unions with the intention of intimidating and harassing us. While we were negotiating with the government, fully armed soldiers encircled us. In spite of the government’s denials, recent remarks made by top officials confirmed our concerns, which ran counter to their claims. We are confident, nonetheless, that the President’s democratic credentials will be highlighted in support of the Nigerian masses and workers.
It’s also critical that the President understand that the majority of his officers are working nonstop to appoint Congressmen and Trade Union leaders. Although we admit that the President stated that the minimum wage act would last for five years or less, we never agreed on that length. We also decided that the minimum wage should be set at a specific number and that inflation should be controlled at that level. This will help to clarify what should be included in the report.
We stress once more how impossible it will be for Nigerian labourers to accept any national minimum wage that comes close to a starvation wage. We cannot continue to live in such poverty while working. We hope that the President’s initiatives, which included promising Nigerian workers a Living Wage, will likewise be motivated by our pursuit of justice, equity, and fairness for all Nigerians. This is his chance to fulfil his commitment to listen to Nigerians!
Together, we can create a more robust democratic country founded on equity that ensures prosperity for the vast majority of its citizens rather than one in which a few number of people monopolise our nation’s resources. That’s the only way to create a democracy that lasts. As a people, we all long for the real democracy!
