Workers’ Day: Buhari says the worst is over; no going back on N66,500 minimum wage – Labour

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday gave the assurance that the economic and social problems plaguing the country had had their turn declaring that the worst was over for the country.

He made the declaration in his address at the May Day rally in Abuja where he was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

“We believe that the worst is over for Nigeria. Accordingly we will do everything within our powers to sustain the current economic recovery efforts.

“We will continue to reinforce our macro-economic policies to achieve sustainable economic stability and growth.

“We will also continue to ensure that growth comes along with jobs and there is a just distribution of the national wealth.

“This administration has come this far, always counting on the continued support and goodwill of organized labour.

“I am confident that together we will achieve our objective of building a united, strong and prosperous nation.’’

He expressed gratitude to the Nigerian workers for partnering government to move the country forward and expressed the confidence that with labour the administration would achieve its objective of building a united and prosperous nation.

Buhari also appreciated the Nigeria labour movement for being a strong pillar of support for the administration’s  anti-corruption agenda.

”The government recognizes the fact that indeed the first line, real victims, of corruption are Nigerian workers and working families along with the rural poor.

“They are the ones that suffer the most from the corruption of the political classes.

“It is regrettable that despite the enormous revenues that Nigeria has earned from oil in the recent past we still had problems with the payment of salaries and pensions of  workers due to mismanagement and corruption,’’ he added.

Meanwhile, the Organised Labour says that it will resist move to renegotiate the N66, 500 minimum wage at any level in the country.

Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said this during the 2018 May Day celebration for workers in the country on Tuesday in Abuja.

The theme for the May Day Celebration, “Labour Movement in National Development: Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.’’

Wabba said that the process of upward review of the National Minimum Wage to meet the current economic realities was ongoing in the country.

According to him, we shall resist any move to renegotiate the minimum wage at any level.

“We are battle ready against public and private organisations that would refuse to conform to the new minimum wage.

“As the benefits of a new minimum wage cannot be over emphasized, an increase in the minimum wage will pull many workers out of poverty.

“A new minimum wage will put the country in positive light globally as it would ensure compliance with the International Labour Organisation standards.

“Overall, an increase in the minimum wage will raise the levels of productivity and enhance the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.

“Our current demand of N66, 500 as the national minimum wage will only manage to meet the basic needs of the average Nigerian worker if inflation is kept at a single digit,‘’ he said.

The NLC president noted that the recent nationwide minimum wage public hearings have unmasked the enemies of Nigerian workers.

He added that the organised Labour have also insisted that once the Minimum Wage Act is signed into law, all employers in public and private sectors must pay at once.

“We shall stand with those willing to pay more than the minimum. We shall resist any move to renegotiate the minimum wage at any level.

“The Federal Government must ensure that federal allocations are not released to states and local governments that refuse to implement the new minimum wage.

“We are battle ready against public and private organisations that would refuse to conform to the new minimum wage.

“We shall ensure that governments that refuse to pay the new minimum wage will not receive the support of the working class, pensioners and their families, ‘’he added.

Also speaking, Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, commended the Nigerian workers for their resilience towards the nation’s development.

“I want to use this occasion to encourage workers to always imbibe the culture of communication.

“You should uphold the principle of the use of strike as a last resort in the pursuit of socio-economic goals and aspirations.

“Let us endeavour to conserve our man days’ productively.

“I promise you our doors are open to engage your leadership towards a consensual end in all relevant matter of interest to you all, ‘’he said.

Also speaking, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, President, Trade Union Congress (TUC) said that the challenges facing the country are many, but not insurmountable.

“It is our hope that given the high expectation of the Nigerian workers, the tripartite committee will complete its work by August 2018 as planned.

“So, that the last quarter of this year, the hard–pressed Nigerian workers will have a new lease of life.

“As institutional members of the committee, our mandate for you is clear. It is what we are pursuing,” he said.