In a recent development, Organized Labour has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s claims about a new national minimum wage agreement, as reported by Vanguard.
This response followed Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on Democracy Day.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) acting President, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, clarified the situation.
Labour stated that no agreement was reached by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage as of June 7.
According to Adeyanju, the figures discussed were N250,000 from labour and N62,000 from the government and the Organized Private Sector (OPS).
These figures were supposed to be submitted to the President.
“The NLC attentively listened to the Democracy Day presidential address delivered by Senator Bola Tinubu, especially concerning the ongoing National Minimum Wage negotiations. While the President may have accurately recounted parts of our democratic journey’s history, it is evident that he has been misinformed regarding the outcome of the wage negotiation process.”
He appreciated the President’s commitment to democratic ideals but expected Tinubu to harmonize the figures in favor of workers. “It would have been a fitting Democracy Day gift,” Adeyanju said.
Labour stated that their demand remains N250,000 and they have no compelling reason to change this position.
“We are, therefore, surprised at the submission of Mr. President over a supposed agreement. We believe that he may have been misled into believing that there was an agreement with the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC. There was none,” Adeyanju stressed.
The NLC also expressed concerns about intimidation and harassment during the negotiation process.
“President’s advisers did not tell him the truth that the leaders of the trade unions were intimidated and harassed,” Adeyanju noted.
Labour urged the President to prepare an Executive Bill reflecting the true demand of Nigerian workers.
They called for Tinubu to demonstrate his commitment to lifting Nigerian workers out of poverty.
“We remain assured that the President’s democratic credentials will come to the fore in favor of Nigerian workers and masses,” Adeyanju concluded.