President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, celebrated his first May Day as president, assuring the organised labour that the issues that prevented the tripartite committee on minimum wage from reaching a consensus would soon be resolved, and that workers’ days of worries over their living wage would be gone.
The president, who spoke while delivering his speech as Special Guest of Honour at this year’s May Day Commemoration ceremony at the Eagle Square, Abuja, also assured workers that his administration was open to the tripartite committee’s living wage above minimum wage.
Tinubu, who was represented at the ceremony by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with the message titled: “Solidarity in Action: Collaborative Governance, Empowered Workers,” called on labour to collaborate with his administration in its efforts to achieve growth and development for Nigeria.
But the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), have said they would not guarantee industrial peace if government failed to conclude negotiation on new minimum wage by the end May, this year.
At the same time, governors across the states of the federation, also celebrated the nation’s work force and announced their resolve to honour the pay raise for workers in appreciation of their contributions to the growth and development of the country.
Similarly, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, senators and members of the House of Representatives, among several other Nigerians, equally saluted the spirit and courage of the workers.
However, addressing the workers, Tinubu said, “You would recall that on January 30th, 2024, the federal government convened a 37-member Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage. The committee’s mandate was to provide counsel and suggest a national minimum wage that aligns with our current economic conditions.
“Since then, the committee, in collaboration with labour leaders, has been diligently working towards proposing a new National Minimum Wage. Unfortunately, despite concerted efforts, the committee was unable to reach a consensus at its last meeting. This shall be resolved soon and I assure you that your days of worrying are over.
“Indeed, this government is open to the committee’s suggestion of not just a minimum wage but a living wage. Great Nigerian Workers, we cannot achieve a just and equitable society that caters to the needs of every member, including the strong and the weak, without fostering peace and unity.
“Our shared vision for national growth and development can only be realised in an atmosphere of industrial harmony and peaceful coexistence in every segment of our country. The dividends we have promised the nation, and which you work tirelessly to ensure, can only be achieved when we all unite for progress.
“So, I call upon each and every one of you, as I have consistently done, to join hands in shaping the destiny of our nation towards greatness. Our allegiance and patriotism are the bedrock upon which our beloved country thrives.
“The success of our government’s policies and programmes hinges on the willingness of the workers, as the backbone of our workforce, to embrace them wholeheartedly. I appeal to you to continue using the power of the labour movement for the greater good of our nation, fostering harmony and cooperation.”
The president then called upon Labour and all Nigerians to place their faith in his administration to assuring them that all he’s been doing were in the interest of Nigeria and aimed at transforming it into a viable state, capable of providing for all its people.
“On this momentous day, I urge you and all our fellow citizens to place your trust in this administration. The seeds of greatness planted in our nation are beginning to bear fruit, and they promise a future filled with hope and bound by prosperity.
“Let me assure you, with the utmost sincerity, that every initiative undertaken by this administration is geared towards transforming Nigeria into a nation that can truly provide for its people,” he said.
While appreciating the organised labour, represented by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), he acknowledged their contributions to the smooth running of the state and how their efforts had contributed to salvaging the economy.
“Great Nigerian workers, your role as an indispensable component of the nation’s engine cannot be overstated by any government if the quest for a just and progressive society is to be realised. Therefore, I extend my most heartfelt congratulations to you on this very important celebration.
“I do not take for granted the understanding, patience, commitment, and support you have shown throughout the implementation of this government’s policies and programmes aimed at positively transforming our great nation. Your contributions have played a significant role in our efforts to rescue the economy since we came on board,” he said.
He further acknowledged the challenges that currently face the nation, including the menace of insecurity and assured of his administration’s resolve to end these challenges.
“We took office at the time many nations, including ours, were experiencing daunting socio-political and developmental challenges. Yet, we are resolute in confronting these obstacles head-on.
“The scourge of criminality, from banditry to kidnapping and the farmer-herder crises, alongside terrorism, continues to afflict our nation despite the tireless efforts of our armed forces.
“We are aware of the toll this takes on our economy. I assure you: we are fully committed to tackling these security challenges”, he further said.”
Also, in a release by Tinubu’s Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, he hailed the Nigerian workers for their fidelity to the peace, progress, and development of the nation evident in their tireless efforts and patriotic zeal to keep the national engine running.
He celebrated Nigerian workers across all spheres and affirmed that his administration remained committed to improving the welfare of all workers, noting the various relief programmes, including the wage award and the imminent minimum wage review.
The president believed that the custodians of the nation’s machinery deserved a fair wage and enhanced welfare, saying a labourer was deserving of not just any reward but fair and commensurate wages.
He, therefore, assured the Nigerian workers of his dedication to not only improving their welfare but also enhancing their working conditions and providing the necessary tools for them to succeed.
Labour Gives FG, States May 31 to Approve New Minimum Wage or Face Showdown
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), yesterday, said they would not guarantee industrial peace if government failed to conclude negotiation on new minimum wage by the end May, this year.
But the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said the issue of new minimum wage would have been concluded before the May deadline but the inability of the labour and government side to reach a consensus on the matter at their last meeting in April.
She however, assured workers that the federal government was determined to work with Labour leaders to reach an agreement on new national minimum wage that would reflect the country’s economic realities.
The position of labour was contained in a joint speech presented by the NLC president Joe Ajaero and President of TUC, Festus Osifo at the ceremony to mark this year’s International Worker’s Day celebration in Abuja.
Ajaero, who read part of the speech said labour union would not allow other interests to sabotage the desire of President Bola Tinubu to give Nigerian workers a living wage.
He said organised labour would insist on its demand for the approval of N615,000 as new national minimum wage, adding that the two labour centres carried out wide research before arriving at the figure.
“We must not let our guards down but be on alert so that together, we can assist government take the right decision and pay workers a living wage as promised by our president, his Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his inaugural speech.
“We will not allow other interests to sabotage the desire of the president concerning a living wage for workers. If however, the negotiation of the national minimum wage is not concluded by the end of May, the Trade Union Movement of Nigeria will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the country,” he said.
