The industrial action embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and affiliate unions penultimate last week was expected. The strike, according to NLC, was to press home the demands of the labour unions, asking the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to consider and approve the payment of a living, but no longer minimum wage to Nigerian workers who, for long, have been short changed. With the directive given by President Tinubu to the coordinating minister of the economy, Mr. Wale Edun, to prepare the cost implications of the new minimum wage, it is believed that amicable resolution will be reached when negotiations between labour and federal government resumes.
Labour and the Federal government have agreed on a one week stay of action which expires Tuesday, next week. While the Nigerian workers languish in penury without anything to show for their labour, the politicians over the years, seem to be the only people enjoying the wealth of the nation, and are having their ways without considering the welfare of the ordinary citizens. For example, not too long ago, the law makers gifted themselves the latest Prado Jeeps, valued at several millions of naira. The prayers of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for his colleagues sometimes ago, and the testimony of the largess that followed almost immediately after, cannot be forgotten.
Again, the renovations of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima’s mansion that gulped several billions of naira are still fresh on our minds, especially now that there is much hardship and hunger in the land. Nigerian workers are said to be the least paid when compared with their counterparts in other climes, but regrettably, workers welfare appear to be the very least issue the government would consider, leading to strikes and series of negotiations that have not yielded any positive result. Labour unions are asking for close to N500,000 as minimum wage, while government is yet to make final pronouncement on what it would offer.
The two parties should come to an agreement and save Nigerians the harrowing experience they are currently going through, economically and otherwise. Minimum wage that cannot take the people home or buy a bag of rice as things stand, should not at all be contemplated. The President’s directives to the negotiation team should transform into something concrete, to forestall future industrial actions. The economy is at its lowest ebb and does not need constant labour unrest that may negatively affect the growth and development of the country. Suffice to say here that government should reduce the allowances and salaries of top officials and cut down on cost of governance which is on the high side.
These measures should be taken to show that the government has interest in the welfare of the common man. The President rode on the mantra of renewed hope and wealth creation for the Nigerian citizens to be accepted, which eventually won him the position he is currently occupying. This is the time to fulfil that promise and the confidence the people have in him; realising the fact that Nigerian workers are the engine room for national development. We expect cordial relationship between the Labour unions and the Federal government, going forward. Nigerian workers should be treated with decency like their counterparts elsewhere. That is the only way prosperity will be ensured, and industrial harmony guaranteed.
