Minimum Wage: Some Governors Frustrating Our Efforts – Labour

The Organised Labour has accused some state governors of frustrating the success of the negotiation with the Federal Government on new minimum wage.

Head of Department of Information, NLC, Benson Upah made this accusation while speaking on Arise TV on Monday monitored by our correspondent.

He said, “The governors driving this mischief— we know them, and you can count them on your five fingers. These governors do not mean well, and they are throwing spanners in the works. While the Federal Government has moved slightly to N62,000, they are saying they can’t even pay N60,000 that was initially proposed, which is an act of mischief, and the numbers are against them.

“It’s a fact that what they share as FAAC has moved from N700b to N1.2trn and is climbing, and the states are very rich now.”

READ: Labour Rejects N62,000 Proposed Minimum Wage, May Resume Strike Tuesday

Upah also warned that it’s easier to manage the rage of organised labour than that of Nigerians.

“The issue is not about labour being difficult; we’re talking about something practical, testable, and reasonable. One thing I will say is that the rage of Labour will be easier to manage than the rage of Nigerians, even as we speak for and on behalf of these weak Nigerians.

“However, if they push Nigerians to the point that they have to live the life of a jungle, we’ll all become victims. A time shall come that is not too far away where you have to peep from your window three to four times before you step out of your own room,’’ he said

Recall that the Organised Labour last Tuesday suspended its nationwide strike for five days to allow uninterrupted meetings with the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage.

The Federal Government, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, stated that it is committed to paying more than N60,000 as the minimum wage.

However, the 36 state governors, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, have stated that the proposed N60,000 minimum wage is not sustainable and cannot be implemented.