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Labour Leaders On Minimum Wage Mission To Villa, Congratulate Tinubu Over Judgment On Local Govt Autonomy

Leaders of the two leading labour unions in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu today, July 11, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja over the unresolved new minimum wage for the workers in the country.
Rising from the meeting, the NLC President, Comrade Ajaero and TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, congratulated the President over the supreme Court ruling on the autonomy for the local governments in the country.
Said NLC President: “I have to congratulate you on the issue of local government autonomy. “We have been in the streets protesting for local government autonomy.
“Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel, it will amount to ungratefulness if we fail to commend you.”
On the minimum wage issue, the NLC President stressed the need for an upward adjustment of the minimum wage.
“Between living wage and minimum wage, we need to find a balance. Things are difficult for the Nigerian worker.”
The TUC President, Comrade Osifo, also congratulated the President, saying: “we commend you on the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court. “History will not forget what has happened today. With this judgement, we believe Nigeria will make progress.”
He told President Tinubu that inflation has adversely affected the value of the naira and that the measures initiated by the government to address the rising cost of food and transportation need to be started immediately to give citizens relief.
He said that the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses will help in checking the high cost of transportation, while the recent directive on the suspension of duty on certain food imports will bring down the prices of food items, if properly implemented.
This was even as the President acknowledged that Nigerian workers deserve improved welfare, better wages, as well as safe and enhanced working conditions as the driving force of the nation.
He said that he is concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers and that his administration is prioritizing their concerns.
“I pay attention to everything around me. A happy worker is a productive worker. And society depends on the productivity of the happy worker.”
The President called for realistic expectations as regards the minimum wage question, stating: “You have to cut your coat according to available cloth. Before we can finalize on the minimum wage process, we have to look at the structure.
“Why must we adjust wages every five years? Why not two? Why not three years? What is a problem today, can be eased up tomorrow. There is much dynamism to this process if we are not myopic in our approaches. We can take a surgical approach that is based on pragmatism and a deep understanding of all factors.”
Further talks were adjourned until next week to allow for wider consultation with all stakeholders.

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