NLC not impressed with Tinubu’s failure to meet standards set for private sector
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Bola Tinubu’s announcement of an imminent review of the national minimum wage has been decried by Labour, saying the President fails to meet standards set for the private sector.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said it is “open knowledge” the review would commence in 2024 as stipulated by law but the Tinubu administration has failed to cooperate and dialogue with organised labour.
“Labour is disturbed that while … Tinubu in his speech lavishly praised the Private Sector for quickly dispensing wage award to their employees, the Federal Government has failed to do the same for public workers in its employment.
“This is a clear case of failing woefully to live up to the standards it has set for others to meet,” NLC National President Joe Ajaero argued in a statement, per The PUNCH.
“It is open knowledge that the review of the national minimum wage is a matter of the law which is expected to happen in 2024.
“How would Nigerian workers cope with the current reality of hyperinflation and suffering unleashed by the hasty removal of the so-called petrol subsidy till 2024 when the national minimum wage would be reviewed? This is incredible!”
“Organised Labour has been forced to negotiate with empty chairs on the Federal Government’s side as the Federal Government has not matched its public promises with firm commitment to negotiate in good faith with labour.
“As a matter of fact, the sub-committee on wage award has not been inaugurated and has not met.”
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NLC can’t ‘strike’ or ‘protest’, Abuja insists, in riposte to Falana
Abuja has insisted any strike by the NLC at this point in time is illegal because of a court injunction preventing it from industrial action pending the determination of a lawsuit by the federal government.
The word “strike” keeps coming up but the NLC has clarified it merely plans a peaceful “protest” for August 2 against the harsh impact on citizens of fuel subsidy removal by Tinubu.
An order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) the government obtained in the first week of the Tinubu administration against “strike” over fuel subsidy removal does not ban peaceful “protest” in a free country, the Labour Centre (LC) argued.
The LC told the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice there is no order – interim, interlocutory, or perpetual – from the NICN or any other court restraining workers from peaceful rallies, such as the one convened for August 2 by the NLC.
Besides, Sam Ogala of Falana’s Chamber, in a letter dated July 28 said the right to peaceful protest has not been removed from the Constitution.
‘Protest amounts to industrial action’, Abuja says
Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, insisted in a reply to Falana Chambers dated July 31 that there is a subsisting interim order restraining NLC from any industrial action which also means protest.
“We reiterate that the interim order clearly restrained NLC from embarking on industrial action of any nature. It is common knowledge that a strike is only a form of industrial action. NLC has expressed intention to embark on nationwide action to force the government (employer) to agree to its demands,” the letter said.
“Furthermore, the participation of workers in the protest will result in restriction, or limitation on, or a delay in the performance of work.”
“The foregoing, inclusive of the purported peaceful protest (in view of its intended aims or purposes) undoubtedly amounts to industrial action,” Jedy-Agba added.
“We assert that it is grossly inappropriate to lead the public protest in respect of issues relating to or connected with the fuel price increase, which is currently before the court!”