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NLC Rejects Northern Govs' Plan To Break Nigeria
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday alleged moves by the
northern governors to divide the country by imposing a different
minimum wage on workers.
It, therefore, asked state councils of the NLC to reject the
governors' ploy.
In a statement, the Head, Information and Public Relations, of
NLC Mr. Chris Uyot said all Nigerians must respect the National
Minimum Wage no matter their state of origin because the workers
are prepared to reject anything to the contrary.
His words : “ We call on state councils of the labour movement
not to accept this ploy by the northern governors to balkanise
the nation by imposing a different and less favourable minimum
wage on workers.
“The National Minimum Wage Act is a national law that must be
respected by employers and governments at all levels and paid to
all workers in the federation, irrespective of state of origin.
Anything to the contrary is a contravention of the Constitution
and must be disallowed and roundly resisted by workers.”
Congress said it was tragic that the Northern governors were
attempting to unilaterally repudiate the agreement they freely
entered into with the labour movement, and thereby violate the
National Minimum Wage Act, because of selfish and parochial
interests.
The governors, said Uyot, should realise that the refusal to
obey an agreement they entered into in writing, is not only the
height of irresponsibility, but an invitation to anarchy.
He claimed that at their recent meeting, the Governors of the 19
Northern states under the auspices of the Northern Governors'
Forum resolved that the issue of wage increase was not part of
the National Minimum Wage Act. Accordingly, the Governors intend
to pay the minimum wage not across board, but to only those on
grade levels 01 – 04.
“This distorted and misleading interpretation of the National
Minimum Wage Act is not only atrocious but a betrayal of the
thrust of the Agreement signed by the Nigeria Governors' Forum
with the Labour Movement on July 19, 2011, of which the Northern
governors were well represented. For the avoidance of doubt and
to expose the treachery of the Northern governors, clauses three
and four of the Agreement state:
“Detailed negotiations on salary across board will be done with
a view to effecting payments by August 2011, ### |
