Tina Amanda
Organised Labour has threatened that the Nigerian workers will not vote if the 30, 000 naira minimum wage is not implemented.
Speaking at the sensitization rally on Tuesday, the Rivers state Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Beatrice Itubo, said that organised labour will no longer tolerate governors who are hiding under the claims that the new minimum wage negotiation is inconclusive, stressing that the entire labour force will vote out political leaders who are impoverishing and enslaving Nigerian workers.
“We will mobilize our members, dependents, friends and associates to vote anybody who wants to stand in the way of Nigerian workers. We need 30, 000 naira or nothing, the die is cast and there is no going back on our current position until the new national minimum wage is transmitted by Mr. President to the national assembly, enacted and quickly implemented by every tie of government both at the federal, state and local government levels.
“It is unfortunate that the Nigerian political class will continue to subject workers to odious conditions before they will be allowed to enjoy the least of their rights, despite the sweat and blood invested by Nigerian workers to procure our independence and soverignty‘’
She further appealed to Governor Wike to ensure that the 30, 000 naira minimum wage budget in the state house of assembly is facilitated and implemented this January 2019.
Also speaking, National President Medical Health Workers Union, Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah, said that labour will not hesitate to shut down the working class, adding that Nigeria will become better when the labour workforce is better.
“As workers, 30, 000 naira is not what we want, 30, 000 naira is not up to five percent of what our colleagues earn in the United State of America. We are just humbly asking for 30, 000 naira but the politi-trick-cians are saying that it is too much.
“The 18, 000 naira minimum wage was approved in the year 2011 and from 2011 till now, budgets have always increased and they have been making their budgeted figures”
On his part, State Chairman United Labour Congress, Comrade Alex Agwangor, pointed out that the political leaders sent as representatives in national and state assemblies have failed those who elected them in their various positions.
“It is still in this same country labour create resources which politicians enjoy, but labour suffers more. We are going to mobilize and do everything in our reach to make sure that government implement the 30, 000 or nothing. We stand on it and any politician that say he cannot pay the 30, 000 whether president, governor, senator, house of assembly or house of representatives should resign his position”
Responding on behalf of the Governor, Chief of Staff, Emeka Woke, commended labour for their peaceful conduct, while assuring them that Governor Nyesom Wike who is labour friendly has reiterated his committment to pay the 30, 000 naira minimum wage once it is signed into law.
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