The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will lead a protest against states that are unwilling to pay workers’ salaries.
The President of the workers union, Mr Waba Ayuba, told a press conference in Abuja on Saturday that the union could no longer tolerate excuses from state governors on the reasons why workers’ salaries were still not paid.
Mr Ayuba also maintained that the current 18,000 Naira minimum wage, needed an upward review in the face of current economic realities.
“The minimum wage which was approved and agreed through a process of collective bargaining, five years down the line, is also due for review, both legally and morally.
“When we signed that agreement, the exchange rate was hoovering around 140 to 142 Naira to a dollar. Today, we are talking about over 200 Naira to the dollar. Inflation over the past five years, also, has increased,” Mr Ayuba stated.
About two months ago when the issue of non-payment of workers’ salaries came to the fore, about 18 states of the federation were allegedly owing their staff.
Although some states have gone off the list after the Federal Government waded into the matter, the NLC said some states were still unwilling to pay their workers.
But a member of the House of Representatives, Onyemaechi Mrakpor, believes that efforts should be directed at making the industries work rather than focusing on the review of the minimum wage which requires legislatures input.
Although the Federal Government recommended a minimum wage of 18,000 Naira five years ago, not all states have complied with it. This has led to several agitations from workers in the past, but the government is yet to consider an upward review.
