Labour Insists on Prior Consultation
The Organised Labour has strongly urged President Bola Tinubu to engage in comprehensive negotiations with its leadership before submission the proposed minimum wage bill to the National Assembly. This call for dialogue comes amid delays that hinder the National Executive Committee meeting, which will include around 300 Labour leaders. The President’s reluctance to advance the bill has stalled the meeting.
Disputed Announcements
Tinubu also announced that his administration would soon present an executive bill to the National Assembly to formalise the agreement. He highlighted his preference for democratic processes over authoritarian approaches in labour matters.
Heightened Tensions
Nearly a month has passed since the President’s speech, leaving Labour leaders and the public anxious about the Federal Government’s intentions. A high-ranking Labour leader, who requested anonymity, expressed disappointment over the delay. He noted that the inability to forward the bill to the National Assembly has prevented Labour from convening its NEC meeting. The leader emphasised the necessity for President Tinubu to consult with Labour before submitting the bill, allowing lawmakers to amend it and conduct a public hearing.
Importance of Direct Dialogue
If Tinubu sends the bill without proper dialogue, the public could perceive it as him taking sides. The leader criticised the government’s approach, suggesting that officials may lack a thorough understanding of the issues. He highlighted the importance of a collaborative effort to resolve the impasse. The Labour leader warned against unilateral decisions by the President, stressing the need for direct consultation with Labour to avoid perceived bias.
Ruling Out Strike Action
Despite the ongoing deadlock, the Labour leader ruled out the possibility of a strike if the Federal Government maintains its proposed N62,000 minimum wage. The NLC and TUC have previously rejected this amount, deeming it inadequate given the current economic conditions. The last joint extraordinary National Executive Council meeting of Labour, held on June 4, was an emergency session to decide on strike actions. Ultimately, the strike was postponed following an agreement with the government.
Calls for a Higher Wage
In a related development, former Governor of Abia, Senator Orji Kalu, has called on the Federal Government to consider increasing the minimum wage to N90,000. After a meeting with Abia Governor Alex Otti, Kalu argued that the N62,000 proposal falls short in light of the country’s hyperinflation and economic challenges. He advocated for a higher wage, emphasising the need for improved treatment and consideration of civil servants.
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