The National Association of University Students has called on the Federal Government to urgently accede to workers’ demand on minimum wage to put an end to impending industrial action.
NAUS gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja in a statement by its Deputy Secretary General, Ogochukwu Isioma.
Ogochukwu said the Federal Government should prioritize workers’ demand, adding that “their welfare and well being should come first.”
He noted that the current minimum wage of N18,000 had become inadequate and could no longer meet the needs of an average Nigerian worker.
He said: “With the increment in prices of stocks, petrol, goods and services, tuition hike here and there, the current minimum wage had become grossly inadequate and is long overdue for increment.
“We are aware that some state governors are saying they cannot pay the upward review of N30,000 minimum wage. We are using this medium to call on them to reconsider their stand. They should consider taking salary cut, slash down unnecessary expenses, and what have you.
“We are also calling on the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige and the Federal Government to urgently yield to workers’ demand and stop paying lip service to vital issues. They are not asking for millions, they are simply demanding for N30,000. NAUS believes that this is realistic and flexible enough, it does not require rocket science to be implemented.
“NAUS therefore wishes to re-assure the organized labour (NLC, TUC, etc) and university workers (ASUU, NASU, NAAT) of our solidarity and support to the ongoing minimum wage struggle. We won’t compromise nor relent until this struggle is realised and achieved.”
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