It has always been said that when two elephants combat, the grass suffers. As men of the organized labour are warming up for what they called “operation no retreat, no surrender” strike action, fear has continued to grip the government as well as traders who usually suffers as surveillance casualty.
In an attempt to prevent the loom strike, Federal Government has invited workers’ representatives to a meeting tomorrow as well as all other necessary stake holders.
Labour is angry that the Presidency is yet to transmit the New National Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly.
Labour has demanded N30, 000 for the least paid worker.
The federal and state governments are offering N24, 000 and N22, 500.
According to Peter Ozo- Eson, the workers’ union has asked its state councils to hold rallies in city centres beginning from January 8 to sensitise Nigerians on the looming action.
Ozo-Eson said: “The NEC approved that the protests should hold in all state capitals and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on 8th January, 2019, and mandates all industrial unions and state councils to fully mobilise workers and coordinate with other labour unions for this mother of all protests.
“The excuse that the National Assembly is on break does not hold water as the report of the tripartite committee has been with the President for about two months.
“Was the National Assembly on recess when the report was submitted? Didn’t the House of Representatives adopt a resolution calling on the President to transmit the bill?
“The notice expired on 31st December, 2018. When it was given, was the National Assembly on recess?
But the government has invited the Labour leadership to a meeting on Friday at the office of the Labour & Employment Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige the office of the Minister of on Friday to address issues raised by Labour and to brief them on efforts being made by the government.
From another source Dr Ngige was quoted as saying that the Attorney-General of the Federation was studying the draft bill submitted by the tripartite committee along with the report to the President with a view to coming up with an executive bill which will be transmitted to National Assembly.
