The Organized Labour says its May 31 ultimatum for the Federal Government to finalize the new national minimum wage process for workers remains unchangeable.
This was said in a statement published at the end of a combined emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the statement signed by Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, and Mr Festus Osifo, President of TUC, the organised labour stated that its NEC had properly debated on the subject and taken into account contemporary realities as they impact Nigerian workers and the general public.
Labour explained that the NEC appreciated the efforts made thus far but emphasised the need of reaching a fair and equitable agreement.
“We need an agreement that will genuinely reflect the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of government’s policies.
"The NEC affirms its commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process," the statement continued.
Similarly, the organised labour directed all state councils whose governments had yet to fully implement the N30,000 national minimum wage and its corresponding modifications to issue a combined two-week ultimatum to the responsible state governments to avoid industrial action.
It also restated its requests for an immediate reversal of the electricity tariff hike and the "vexatious apartheid categorisation into bands to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and citizens".
Labour also issued the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government a May 31 deadline to satisfy the requests.
It urged all affiliate unions and workers in Nigeria, especially Civil Society Organisations, to be unified and strong in solidarity during this critical period.
