NLC threatens politicians opposing minimum wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers to obtain their voter card with a view to voting out public officers that contribute to non-payment of salaries across the states.

The President of Congress, Ayuba Wabba, who stated this in Abuja while reacting to the complaints of non-payments of the salaries by local government workers through the President of National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ibrahim Khaleel, called workers across the country to vote out political office holders that oppose minimum wage.

‘His words: “We must prepare to vote out governors or any political officer holder who is refusing to pay us salary. We must continue to lament. We have the power, so we must use it this time. Workers, pensioners and their households who are in one way or the other suffering the inhumane treatment of non-payment of workers’ wages must be voted out of office in the next election.’ ’

He tasked unions and workers to unite for a vibrant struggle against oppressive employers, adding: “Eevery member of the labour movement irrespective of the union must understand that it is only in unity that we can achieve our objective.

“Therefore, we all must in solidarity play our part in order to achieve success, so commitment which will of course bring us to working together is the key.

“And every leader no matter the union or association in the labour movement must consciously see, the welfare of its members as very essential in all we do. It is therefore important that anytime we have a need for national action, all affiliates must deem it sacrosanct to mobilise it members for such action.’ ’

Also, Wabba, stressed the importance of Local Government Autonomy, saying, ‘’Local government areas are very important to the social-economic welfare of every citizen in Nigeria, because we all come from one LGA or the other. So granting autonomy to LGA system in the country will in so many way make things better for us all. In fact, it will pay the political elites a lot if they strengthen development in LGAs. Both influxes of people from rural areas to the urban cities and other vices that accompany rural-urban migration will drastically reduce’’

Also speaking, NULGE President, Ibrahim Khaleel, who appreciated the leadership of NLC for initiating the familiarisation visitation, urged the leadership of the Congress to strengthen its relationship with its affiliates and see all of them as important aspect of NLC’s existence.

He further stressed that capacity building and inclusiveness are crucial in the effort of NLC to survive the challenges ahead and succeed as an umbrella body of Labour movement whom every other union and association should look unto and run to in times of need.

While he expressed worries about the persistent trend of non-payment of salaries especially local government councils’ workers, he disappointedly complained that the N6000 minimum wage, which the Zamfara State Government has continued to pay workers was worrisome and shameful.

He then called on NLC to specifically intervene in cases involving NLC Chairperson and Ogun State Government, the issue of ceasing Akwa Ibom State NULGE chapter 5months check-up dues by the State Government.