Mr. Joe Ajaero, president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says the organised labour has been forced to negotiate with empty chairs on the Federal Government’s side as the government has not matched its public promises with firm commitment to negotiate in good faith with labour.
Ajaero who said this in a statement on Monday night, berated President Bola Tinubu over his disclosure during his nationwide broadcast, that the review of N30,000 minimum wage was imminent
He noted that it was open knowledge that the review of minimum wage would commence in 2024 as stipulated by law.
Ajaero also stated that the Tinubu administration had failed to show cooperation and dialogue with members of the organised labour.
“Labour is disturbed that while President Tinubu in his speech lavishly praised the Private Sector for quickly dispensing wage award to their employees, the Federal Government has failed to do the same for public workers in its employment. This is a clear case of failing woefully to live up to the standards it has set for others to meet,” he said.
“It is open knowledge that the review of the national minimum wage is a matter of the law which is expected to happen in 2024. How would Nigerian workers cope with the current reality of hyperinflation and suffering unleashed by the hasty removal of the so-called petrol subsidy till 2024 when the national minimum wage would be reviewed? This is incredible!”
Speaking further on the negotiations so far, Ajaero said, “Organised Labour has been forced to negotiate with empty chairs on the Federal Government’s side as the Federal Government has not matched its public promises with firm commitment to negotiate in good faith with labour. As a matter of fact, the sub-committee on wage award has not been inaugurated and has not met.”
