Workers Day rally..breakdown over minimum wage
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) will go ahead with its planned warning strike expected to start Thursday as the meeting with the Federal Government has ended in a deadlock.
Channels reports that the meeting between the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, and the Tripartite Committee was to look into the issue of the minimum wage which has led to a planned strike.
The meeting follows a warning by the union to commence an indefinite strike starting from midnight.
Mr Nigige on Wednesday assured the union that the Federal Government will take steps in addressing the issues.
But in a show of no confidence, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, insisted that the position of the union still stands, despite the minister’s assurance.
Wabba said this while briefing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday saying the strike will commence from midnight of September 26.
“In compliance with this mandate, all workers and private sector at all levels across the country have been directed to comply.
“All public and private institutions, offices, banks, schools, public and private business premises including filling station are to remain shut till further noticed,” he said.
The NLC had earlier declared an indefinite strike starting from midnight as a result of the Federal Government’s refusal to reconvene the Tripartite Committee on a new National Minimum Wage.
The organised labour is also alleging that its request to reconvene a Tripartite Committee was not met, and the leaders have cautioned the Federal Government against foot-dragging on the issue.
However, the minister has said that the Tripartite Committee will reconvene on October 4, 2018.
The NLC had last Thursday resolved to commence an indefinite nationwide strike after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued on September 12, which elapses by midnight of Wednesday.
The implication is that strike commences on Thursday.
NLC is demanding an upward push from N18,000 to N56,000 as minimum wage.
