Labour Blows Hot over FG’s U-turn on 30,000 Minimum Wage, threatens to strike if…

Labour Blows Hot over FG’s U-turn on 30,000 Minimum Wage, threatens to strike if…

By Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna North-West, NIGERIA

The recent issue of N30,000 minimum wage which many Nigerians thought has been put to rest seems to be resurfacing again as many governors are still doubting its workability in their states.

Members of the organized labour will likely return to the trenches following fresh conflicts regarding the reportedly agreed minimum wage with the Federal Government.

Organized Labour has kicked against the denials of the Nigerian Federal Government that President Buhari approved N30, 000 as minimum wage for Nigerian workers contrary to what has been making the rounds in the press.

.It would be recalled that the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Comrade Ayuba Wabba after the tripartite committee meeting in Abuja while speaking with newsmen on Monday had assured Nigerian workers of a compromise reached on the N30,000 minimum wage and that the outcome of  the Tripartite Committee has been submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari who had indicated readiness to sign.

The decision to suspend the industrial action earlier scheduled to commence on the 6^th of November, 2018 he said was taken after agreements were reached.

“I want to assure workers that all has been concluded and will be passed for signing within the week. Having reached this position and agreements signed, the proposed strike action is hereby suspended.

“I also want to appreciate the Organized Private Sector, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Nigeria Employers Consultative Association for their resolve to pay the new minimum wage when it is signed into law,” he said.

According to Lai Mohammed, the Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture, the 30,000 wage proposal sent to the President by the Tripartite Committee was still in the proposal stage and had not been approved by President Buhari yet.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council, Lai Mohammed said the President would still study the report presented to him on Tuesday by the Chairman of the committee, Amal Pepple, before taking a decision on it.

According to the information minister, President Buhari will arrive at a decision after considering the report of the tripartite committee.

“I think it (N30,000) was a recommendation. Mr President will consider it and will make his views known in due course,” the minister said.

The minister was however pressed further on the matter by the reporters after which he said;

“I said a recommendation was submitted. Mr. President will get back to the committee after he has studied the recommendation.”

The report of the tripartite committee is expected to be presented to the National Economic Council (NEC) as well as the Council of State before a final decision is reached.

The council’s decision will inform the executive bill which will be forwarded to the National Assembly.

Labour however kicked against the information credited to Lai Mohammed and threatened to go on strike as initially proposed if the Federal Government failed to approve and implement the N30,000 minimum wage recommended by the tripartite committee.

The General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Musa Lawal, while reacting to the news revealed that Organised Labour decided to shelve its planned strike because the government had expressed the willingness to accept the report of the tripartite committee.

He warned further that anything short of the full implementation of the report would be met with stiff opposition from Nigerian workers.

“They can say anything they want to say. Why were they panicky before? Why did they agree to the N30, 000“They can call it a mere recommendation or whatever they want to call it but the important thing is that at the end of the day, if we do not get the N30,000, they know what we will do.” The TUC general secretary said.

However, following the signing of minimum wage report by President, Muhammdu Buhari; some Nigerian state governors have made it known that they cannot afford to pay the thirty thousand naira (N30,000) Minimum Wage.

List of State Governors willing and those not Willing to Pay the N30,000 Minimum Wage as compiled by: naijaonlinebiz.com

Nigerian Governors Willing to Pay N30,000 minimum wage & Above

1. Godwin Obaseki (APC) Edo State —- Any Amount
2. Nyesom Wike (PDP) Rivers State —– N30,000
3. Umar Ganduje (APC) Kano State —- 30,600
4. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (PDP) Abia State —- N42,000
5. Willie Obiano (APGA) Anambra State —– N30,000

Those Governors that cannot afford N30,000 Minimum Wage

1. Rotimi Akeredolu (APC) Ondo State —— N22,000

• Simon Bako Lalong (APC) Plateau State —— N25,000

3. Jibrilla Jindow (APC) Adamawa State —— N23,000
4. Darius Ishaku (PDP) Taraba State —— 20,000
5. Emmanuel Udom (PDP) Akwa Ibom State —– Not Specific
6. Mohammed Abubakar (APC) Bauchi State —— N25,200
7. Kayode Fayemi (APC) Ekiti State ———– Still Consulting
8. Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP) Gombe State —– N28,000
9. Yahaya Bello (APC) Kogi State —— No Money
10. Rochas Okorocha (APC) IMO State ——- No Money
11. Aminu Masari (APC) Katsina State ——- Not Specific

12’ Akinwumi Ambode (APC) Lagos State —– Will Consult Elders

13. Abiola Ajimobi (APC) Oyo State —— Not Specific
14. Umaru Al-Makura (APC) Nasarawa State —– N24,750
15. Ifeanyi Okowa (PDP) Delta State —– No Money
16. Kashim Shettima (APC) Borno State —– N27,000.
17. Rauf Aregbesola (APC) Osun State —– No Money

Other unlisted states were yet to make their positions known but it is likely they will pay the N30,000 minimum wage agreed by Labour.

To be updated as soon as their positions are made known.