Minimum Wage: NLC, NASU, Others Join Strike In Anambra

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Anambra chapter, Trade Union Congress TUC, Non-Academic Staff Union, Medical & Health Workers Union, Coalition of Civil Societies on Wednesday, joined the industrial action declared by the national leadership of the NLC to stop the National Assembly from removing the Minimum wage from Exclusive list to Concurrent list.

Chairman of the NLC in Anambra State, Comrade Jerry Nnubia, in his address at the premises of the Anambra State House of Assembly, said the decision was in line with directive from the national headquarters of the union to fight for their right.

He said the labour demanded that the Legislative Arm of Government should revert the decision of removing Minimum Wage from Exclusive list to Concurrent list which the union found it uncomfortable.

According to the Chairman, “For us, we are a democracy and we deserve to be carried along, and that there is need for Nigeria workers to be given all sense of belonging.

He informed the Anambra State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Uche Okafor, the implications of transferring the National Minimum Wage from Exclusive list to the Concurrent list to include; license for state governors to drag the country back to the era of ridiculous slave wages which in the past had precipitated a multifarious crisis in different parts of the country, consequences for social-economic cohesion, stability and progress of workers and it could lead to the exclusion of the private sector (both organized and unorganized) from the concept, rationale and logic of a national minimum wage, yet, it is in this informal sector that horrendously unfair labour practices take place.

He appealed to the speaker to talk to state Governor, Willie Obiano to fully implement the 30, 000 National Minimum Wage before the second quarter of the year, 2021 or they will embark on strike to disrupt the guber electoral process.

The State Chairman of Trade Union Congress TUC, Comrade Ifeanyi Okechukwu and Comrade Orizu Chinwe, Chairperson of Medical and Health Workers Union, on their brief remarks, appeal to the National Assembly to always look into the ply of Nigeria Workers why carrying out their Legislative responsibilities.

In his response, the Speaker, Hon. Uche Okafor, assure them that the governor, been a working friendly governor in no distance time will implement their demands.

I am happy with the protests because it goes peaceful, he concluded.

It was gathered that the workers carry placards with inscription such as; Stop the war on workers or loose your seat, enough is enough for our Lawmakers, wage thief crime against workers, crime against humanity, we stand by ILO Convention of 1970, yes to minimum on Exclusive.