On Monday night time, the organised labour introduced the suspension of its deliberate nationwide indefinite strike.
The choice got here after a tripartite assembly involving the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, and the Federal Government.
Media Talk Africa studies that the motion was suspended for 30 days to permit the federal government to implement some of its guarantees contained in a memorandum of understanding signed after the assembly.
However, there seems to be no particular plan for state and native authorities workers who represent the majority of the civil service inhabitants.
Recall that the labour unions and the federal authorities have been engaged in a working dispute over the elimination of gas subsidy by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Tinubu, throughout his inaugural speech on May 29, introduced the elimination of gas subsidy.
The aftermath of the coverage has introduced untold hardships and a excessive price of residing pushed by elevated inflation.
However, within the wake of the after impact, the Federal Government introduced a N5 billion palliative to every state of the federation, together with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
But the organised labour noticed the palliatives as far beneath their expectation from the federal government in the direction of ameliorating the struggling of the plenty.
Earlier, there was a 2-day warning strike by the NLC. Although the TUC opted out, each teams later reconciled and have been set for an indefinite strike however the consequence of the Monday assembly.
The Monday assembly ultimately led to the suspension of the deliberate strike for a interval of one month, in an effort to permit the federal government time to implement the agreements reached.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Comrade Joe Ajaero, President NLC, Comrade (Engr) Festus Osifo, TUC President, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary NLC and Comrade Nuhu A. Toro, Secretary General, TUC.
On the aspect of the federal government have been H.E. Simon Bako Lalong, Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Hon. Dr Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment and Mallam Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.
According to the memorandum, the Federal Government will grant a wage award of N35,000 (thirty-five thousand Naira) solely to all Federal Government workers starting in September, pending when the federal government indicators a brand new nationwide minimal wage.
It additionally said {that a} minimal wage committee could be inaugurated inside one month from the date of the settlement; the Federal Government would droop assortment of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for six months starting from October 2023, and the Federal Government accepted to vote N100 billion for offering high-capacity CNG buses for mass transit in Nigeria, amongst others.
However, the memorandum solely talked about that the Federal Government ought to urge the State Governments by the National Economic Council and Governors Forum to implement wage awards for his or her workers, asking that comparable consideration also needs to be given to native authorities and personal sector workers.
The fear heightened on Tuesday as the NLC requested the State Councils to provoke engagement with their State Governments on the necessity for wage award and different reliefs to workers within the states of the federation.
The union in a letter signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajero, urged associates of the NLC to instantly start negotiations with their employers on the necessity to grant wage award and different reliefs to members to cushion the impact of the petrol value hike.
Ajero acknowledged that the union’s struggles weren’t full as consequential wrestle awaits them, with out which their victory wouldn’t be full.
While acknowledging the Affiliates and State Councils’ efforts, the assertion stated the union’s consideration must be centered on them.
“Congress wants to appreciate the contributions of all our Affiliates and State Councils for their great efforts in mobilising their members towards our proposed indefinite nationwide strike that would have begun today. It was your determination and commitment that enabled the signing of the Agreement with the federal government late yesterday the 2nd of October.
“While we congratulate all of you, we wish to remind you of the consequential struggle that awaits all of us without which our victory will not be complete.
“Our attention should be focused on the need to initiate the following actions:
“All Affiliates to immediately commence negotiations with their employers on the need to grant Wage Award and other reliefs to members to cushion the effect of the Petrol price hike.
“All State Councils to initiate engagement with their State Governments on the need for Wage Award and other Reliefs to workers in the states of the federation.
“We wish to stress Congress’s steadfast commitment to the success of our collective objectives which hinges on our shared resolve to free our members and fellow Nigerians from the ongoing challenges imposed by negative policies of Government. The course of our destinies rests firmly within our grasp,” the assertion partly learn.
Reacting to the event, the chairman of the NLC in Enugu State, Comrade Barrister Fabian Nwigbo expressed concern over the fate of state workers.
He informed Media Talk Africa in an interview that some states could go into a brand new negotiation as they could not afford to pay the N35,000.00 wage award.
Nwigbo lamented that some states have been unable to pay the N30,000.00 minimal wage since its introduction.
He urged that the nationwide management of organised labour ought to write a strongly-worded letter to all of the state councils to be forwarded to the governors.
”My concern is as good as each chairman of the state council that one other struggle will begin with the choice of the federal authorities that N35,000.00 must be added as wage award for the federal workers.
“Although they also encouraged the state governments to ensure that they pay, you know, as we speak, up to 18 states in the country have not complied with the N30,000.00 minimum wage.
”We are fortunate that in Enugu State, the earlier administration began it instantly. We consider strongly that the current administration won’t hesitate to key into this federal authorities approval.
”But in these states the place you could have points with the governors, we’re afraid that one other negotiation goes to start out. So that’s the main concern. And some states could resolve to not pay fully. They could go right into a negotiation or could afford to pay N25,000.00, or N30,000.00, and so forth. They have the authorized proper to find out what they’ll pay as a result of this can be a wage award, not a minimal wage.
”Even when we’ve a minimal wage, some refused to pay, and the House of Assembly allowed them. It was a breach of the legislation, which is one of the circumstances a chief government might be impeached. But our system is horrible.
“Our fear is that some of the States may try to go into negotiation again and try not to pay the complete N35,000.00 or even not pay at all as a result of disagreement. That is our fear.
”We predict the nationwide management of organised labour to write down a strong-worded letter to all of the state councils, which can be forwarded to the governors, ordering them to make sure that they adjust to that nationwide directive, with out which, they need to be prepared for motion that can come from all angles.
“It is not going to be the state alone; the national body should support any state that would be denied such an opportunity.
”Generally, one might not be fully happy, however contemplating what’s presently occurring within the economic system, we could say, ‘Let’s take what we’ve gotten’. If not, what’s N35,000.00 to a median employee, most of whom ought to have about 5 to 10 dependents?
“For me, that money is inadequate. But one may say, let’s use it as a stepping stone and see what the minimum wage next year will look like.
”But while you discuss this factor, is it now N30,000.00 minimal wage plus N35,000.00 for these which may be fortunate to get it? You could come to a degree the place gas is bought at N600.00 to N700.00, and you understand most of our economic system depends upon gas value. But the wage award is healthier than nothing.”
On his half, the Anambra State NLC Chairman, Humphery Nwafor said that every one the states and even the personal sectors have been anticipated to key in with the settlement labour reached with the federal authorities.
Nwafor informed Media Talk Africa that though it won’t be simple, the NLC on the centre can be half of the wrestle when the states start to have interaction their varied governments after assembly with the Governors’ Forum and the Economic Council.
He stated, ”The problem is that in our nationwide government council assembly yesterday, these of us from the state requested questions. The reply was that the negotiation was going to be a benchmark. All the states and even the personal sectors will key in from there. And no state is anticipated to pay lower than N35,000.00.
”You know, it’s not going to be simple, however the nationwide secretariat of the NLC goes to be half of the wrestle once we start to have interaction our varied state governments after their assembly with the Governors’ Forum and the Economic Council. The state council will start to have interaction with the governors.
”You ought to keep in mind that some of the governors have made pronouncements. They have given some money awards, some N10,000. Like Anambra State, we’ve N12,00,000. Whatever we must be speaking about must be primarily based on the disparities.
”It is just not as if the settlement didn’t cowl the state and native authorities. In merchandise quantity 10, you possibly can see that they stated the ‘states are urged’. So we’re half of it.
”You know minimal wage can be due for evaluation subsequent 12 months, early subsequent 12 months. It is a component of what we mentioned in our assembly. So, I consider, even in that MoU, you possibly can see that the minimal wage is there too. The committee goes to be fashioned inside one month for the evaluation of minimal wage.
”And this N35,000.00 given to the federal workers as of right now goes to final until the brand new minimal wage is handed into legislation. It is a component of what we’re going to have interaction our authorities as a result of, you understand, like Anambra State, our personal goes to final for 4 months, ranging from September.
“The first payment has been made, remaining October, November and December. Although the government said, it is going to be reviewed after three months. But this agreement, as stipulated with labour, will last till a new minimum wage is passed into law.
”I don’t suppose we’re going to have that outdated system; perhaps after negotiation, states will return to start out their wrestle once more. We are going to have a brand new innovation as a result of we’ve a brand new management.
“I believe we, the leadership of organised labour at the national level, will see how they will integrate the governors into whatever negotiation we are going to do at the state level. Although they have not said it, I know Joe Ajaero’s leadership and administration have something to offer”.
Speaking additionally to Media Talk Africa, the NLC chairman of the Edo State chapter, Comrade Odion Olaye stated he was happy with the settlement labour reached with the federal authorities.
Olaye stated his state governor was ready to see what the federal authorities may supply.
He stated, “I am satisfied. We were in a zoom meeting for almost three hours yesterday before Congress asked the president to go and hold a meeting with the federal government. We are fully satisfied, that is why we asked them to go and sign.
”I can’t communicate on behalf of different states. I can solely communicate on behalf of my state, and I do know that the state governor is even ready for what the federal authorities will do,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Wale Oyerinde, whereas additionally expressing concern, stated the problem lies in how the states and native governments will reply to the settlement labour reached with the federal authorities.
Oyerinde spoke on Tuesday whereas that includes on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.
He famous that the personal sector had proven the best way, the path and the innovation in supporting workers throughout board amidst the financial downturn within the nation.
The NECA DG stated, “For us in the private sector, it is quite unfortunate that labour didn’t find it necessary to commend the private sector for the role it has played.
“The president even noted the role of the private sector in his August broadcast of taking the initiatives. Since July, immediately after the president announced the removal of subsidies and the consequential effect of the increase in the cost of living, the private sector has actually taken the bull by the horns.
“Private sector organisations have either increased wages or adjusted wages, increased allowances or adjusted allowances, and come up with different schemes to assist their employees. Some have come up with a new model of working space.
“The private sector has taken the lead. We have shown the way, the direction and the innovation in supporting employees across the board.
“The challenge will be how the states will respond and how the local governments will respond. And we also hope they will respond appropriately.”
