TELL Magazine

BThe Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC today, commenced a nationwide protest following President Muhammadu Buhari’s failure to transmit a bill to the National Assembly for the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Although the protest took place at the Lagos State secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja protesters were denied access into the secretariat. Adeniyi Muyiwa, one of the protesters told the magazine that their action was the best way the Federal Government can listen to the yearnings of the workers.  Aside from Abuja and Lagos, the protests also took place in other states across the country. 

“The workers that are the brain and energy behind the country’s economy are denied access to the secretariat but, the crowd they rented for political declaration today were let in without any argument. We met them there. Now, do you think the sufferings of the working poor mean anything to them? All that matters to them is their interest and election,” he told the magazine.

The meeting held on Monday night between the Federal Government and representatives of the labour union did not finalise talks on the way forward. NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, while addressing Journalist shortly after the meeting said the meeting was fruitful as it addressed a number of issues of concern but that more consultations needed to be made, hence the adjournment of talks to Tuesday’s afternoon.

Wabba who led the protest in Abuja today said the protest was about the implementation of the minimum wage and had nothing to do with the continuation of talks.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, promised that efforts will be made to get the new minimum wage bill ready by next week.