By Correspondent in Abuja/Ilorin
The Nigeria Labour Congress says states yet to commence implemention of the new minimum wage and those of them owing workers salaries should prepare for mass industrial action and protests “this New Year”.
The President of the Congress, Ayuba Waba,who gave the warning in his new year message in Abuja, described as unfortunate the fact that till now, some states had refused to pay the new national minimum wage.
Waba,whose message is entitled ‘Beyond survival: Nigerian workers and people deserve better in 2021’,regretted that some states had reneged in their agreement to implement the minimum wage to their workers.
He noted that the defaulting states signed collective bargaining agreements with state councils of the labour movement on the payment of consequential salary adjustment and pension benefits owing to the new national minimum wage and wondered why they failed to fulfill their part of the agreement.
“Accordingly, we call on all our state councils still struggling with their state governments on the payment of the national minimum wage and consequential salary increase and those whose state governments have unilaterally cut wages and are owing workers salary arrears to prepare for mass industrial action and protests this New Year,” he stressed.
Meanwhile,Kwara State government has assured itsi ts ci servants in the commitment to the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Government said toward this ebd, it had submitted a working table to the unions for their perusal and affirmation, noting that they are currently deliberating on it.
The State Head of Civil Service (HoS), and Chairman of the State Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee, Mrs Susan Oluwole, made the declaration on Friday in a statement.
She said the state was working at reaching acceptable agreement with Labour Unions on the implementation of the new minimum wage for civil servants in the state.
“I also wish to add that the State Government is working on what will be an acceptable living wage for its workforce that is also sustainable in order not to fall into the unfortunate ditch some States currently find themselves in the payment of the new wage, “she said
The HoS,wh w noted that series of meetings had been between the government and representatives of the labour unions since the committee started work, applauded the maturity of the unions.
“I must say, with all emphasis, that there were series of meetings between Government and the representatives of the Labour Unions since the commencement of the operation of the New Minimum Wage Committee. I hereby applaud the leadership of the State Labour movement for the maturity displayed so far.
“It is for this reason, we are patiently awaiting the outcome of the first meeting of the Federal Account and Allocation Committee (FAAC), to have a clearer idea of what obtains in the 2021 Budget.”
Oluwole expressed appreciation to the leadership of the unions for their patience and understanding and pleaded for sustained cooperation.
“Once again, I appreciate the patience and understanding of the labour leaders and their members and pray this will be sustained,” the statement concluded,” the HoS added.
