The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) would commence a nationwide strike alongside all civil society organisations in the country next Wednesday, if the Federal Government fails to meet its demand for the tripartite committee to reconvene and complete its assignment on the new minimum wage.
Rising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held yesterday in Abuja, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, expressed disappointment at the manner in which members of the new minimum wage tripartite committee on the side of Federal Government unilaterally adjourned the tripartite meeting on the day the committee was expected to complete its assignment.
According to him, this was against the principle of collective bargaining as provided in International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 98 and 131 on minimum wage setting process, which Nigeria had domesticated.
“NEC has resolved that at the expiration of the 14-day industrial action notice issued to the Federal Government over the new minimum wage issue, and the demand of the organised labour was not met, NEC has given NAC and the leadership of organised labour the power to declare appropriate industrial action or any action it deems necessary.
“In the first place, NEC expresses serious concern at the unilateral adjournment of the negotiation of the new minimum wage by the Federal Government on the day the tripartite committee was expected to complete its assignment.
“NEC in session, accordingly approve and applauded the organised labour for taking a proactive step by issuing a statutory 14-day industrial action notice to preserve the sanctity of the collective bargaining process, and the demand for the tripartite committee to reconvene within a set period to finalise its report in line with the principle of collective bargaining.
“NEC resolves that all its affiliate unions and the 36 state councils of Congress and the FCT and joint action front communicate the decision of NEC to their members and all workers,” he said.
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