Falana To Workers: Fight Governors Who Resist N30,000 Minimum Wage

Human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the
organised labour to “fight” any governor who is unwilling to pay
the N30,000 minimum wage.

Speaking at the 12th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference
of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja, Falana said the
first part of the new minimum wage battle had been won; the second
is to compel state governments to pay.

“Labour should unite to fight any governor who may not want to
pay the N30,000 minimum wage. States should cut their expenses and
engage in income generating ventures.

“As for the workers, let the general elections be the last time
that it will be left for our leaders to decide. Workers should come
together. They should be the one to decide,” Falana said.

The NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, reiterated the urgency
for the need to pass the minimum wage bill by the National
Assembly.

“For millions of workers, an increase in the minimum wage is
urgently needed to ensure a living wage that covers the cost of
basic needs for a family.

“Workers must be able to freely bargain collectively through
their union for wages that reflect the tone value of the work they
do and for decent working conditions.

“On January 29, this year, the House of Representatives passed
into law a new national minimum wage of N30,000. It is expected
that upon the passage by the Senate, a conference of the two
chambers of the National Assembly will harmonise the bill and send
the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act to Mr. President for
signing into law.

“We appreciate and commend the House of Representative for the
expedited action taken on the new national minimum wage bill,” he
said.

Wabba commended the Federal Government for releasing about N1.9
trillion to states for bailout, budget support and Paris club
refund.

He said: “The release of about N1.9 trillion in the form of
bailout, budget support and Paris Club Refund assisted greatly in
addressing the non-payment of salary, pensions and gratuity in many
states especially worker-friendly governors. In some few instances,
the funds were diverted and the situation has not been fully
addressed.”

Wabba said the economy given its vast potential, amid diverse
challenges, showed some promises in recent times.

“According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.81 per cent in real terms in
the third quarter of 2018.

“This is slightly better than the growth of 1.17 per cent
achieved in the third quarter of 2017. The recent GDP growth and
increase in internally generated revenue are signs of the steady
recovery of our economy from recession. Despite these results, our
economy remains largely import driven and dependent. The growth in
the size of our economy – the biggest in Africa – is still
non-inclusive as the gap between the rich and poor continues to
widen. Though described as mixed, our economy is essentially
rent-seeking and still suffers from systemic distortions,’’ he
said.