Nigerian workers have told the Federal Government to perish the thought of getting through the back door what it gave them in the form of a new national minimum wage.
The Federal Government and the workers eventually sealed a deal on the new minimum wage on Thursday after several months of negotiation.
However, the fear is that the Federal Government will device means of getting back the money from them.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, has thus told the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari to forget about increasing Personal Income Tax, electricity tariff and prices of petroleum products.
Wabba said: “We want to thank all Nigerian workers and our affiliated unions for their support, solidarity, and unity of purpose throughout the difficult negotiations. It is heartwarming that the process was eventually rewarding.
“We must say that, as always, we were disappointed by the antics of those whose interest lies elsewhere than the common goal of protecting and advancing the interest of ordinary Nigerian workers.
“We wish to emphasize that the hard-won salary adjustment will benefit all categories of workers, including those in the military and para-military services. Apart from workers, the recent salary increase will also benefit ordinary citizens, especially those in the informal sector as the increase in the available disposable income of workers will translate into a stronger purchasing power for our people.
“This will however only be sustainable if traders and providers of essential services refrain from artificial inflation of the prices of goods and services. It makes more sense to sell more at a stable price than sell little or nothing at inflated prices. Certainly, we have learnt from our past mistakes that inflation of prices with adjustment in salaries is a roulette game in which the downtrodden masses are the victims.
“We also call on the government to refrain from introducing counter-productive economic policies and decisions that would erode the recent wage gain achieved by workers. Any further increase in the prices of petroleum products, electricity tariffs, and personal income taxes would amount to collecting with the left hand what is given to workers with the right hand. The leadership of organized labour will resist such a move.
“Arising from our successful negotiation with the Federal Government, it is expected that all employers of labour in the public sector must ensure that all the necessary formalities for a smooth implementation of the negotiated salaries based on the new national minimum wage are carried out with immediate effect.
“While commending state governments that have already commenced implementation of the new national minimum wage, we urge that the implementation should be a product of collective bargaining process in line with ILO Convention 98 on Organizing and Collective Bargaining.
“Furthermore, all employers of labour in the thirty-six states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the organized private sector, are expected to complete the implementation process of the new national minimum wage and consequential wage adjustment forthwith.
“State councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress are hereby directed to offer leadership and work harmoniously with the TUC and JNPSNC and all unions to ensure effective implementation of the new national minimum wage and the consequential salary adjustment that must be reached through a process of collective bargaining.”
Trending
- Nigerian writer urges preservation of literary heritage amid writer shortage
- Health professionals brainstorm in Abuja, seek drug free society
- CAF announce dates for Champions League, Confederation Cup Finals
- Tayo Ayinde withdraws suit against Gani Adams, restates commitment to peace
- Those in corridors of power behind my ordeal – Segun Olatunji
- Remi Tinubu donates N1bn to aid fight against tuberculosis
- Police arrest two for alleged murder of former MD of Jigawa Housing Authority
- Man in police net for allegedly beating wife to death in Lagos