Organized labor has restated its May 31 deadline for the federal government to finalize the new national minimum wage fixing process for workers.
The stance was stated in a press release following the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) joint emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday 21 May.
The presidents of the NLC and TUC, Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, signed the communiqué announcing organized labor's NEC's extensive deliberation and consideration of the issues affecting Nigerian workers and the populace at large.
“We need an agreement that will genuinely reflect the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of government’s policies," the communique read.
“The NEC affirms its commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process.
“The NEC-in-session, therefore, reiterates the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC to the federal government, which expires on the last day of this month.”
Labor also issued a deadline to the federal government and the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to comply with the requests by 31 May.
The NEC charged branch leaders of the NLC and TUC to 'take appropriate actions' if the government fails to meet its demands within the stipulated time.
The appropriate action was undefined, but labor unions in Nigeria are known for strikes to push through demands.
Organized labor emphasized that their demands were non-negotiable.
