AS the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warms up for a three-day nationwide strike over demands for a new minimum wage, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said he was confident that the workers would soft-pedal, stressing that the Federal Government was already addressing the problem to ensure that the country is not grounded.
He explained that within the short period he assumed office as President, his Administration has demonstrated a Labour-friendly disposition.
Jonathan had summoned the Council of State meeting, last week, to deliberate on the matter. The meeting reviewed the recommendations of the Justice Alfa Belgore- led committee’s report on minimum wage.
He explained that within the short period he assumed office as President, his Administration has demonstrated a Labour-friendly disposition.
Jonathan had summoned the Council of State meeting, last week, to deliberate on the matter. The meeting reviewed the recommendations of the Justice Alfa Belgore- led committee’s report on minimum wage.
The President, in a rare interview with aviation reporters, at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, said he was of the opinion that, “Labour will stay with us. Presently, government pays N17, 000, and, within this period, we raised it from N7, 500 to N17, 000 and they are talking about the minimum wage of N18, 000. You will agree with me that N1000 difference for good people that have been friendly will not lead to any industrial action.
“I find it very difficult to believe that Federal Government workers are even earning less that N18, 000, because the minimum wage of N18, 000 is level one step one, which is supposed to be for primary six holders”.
The President said the issue of N1000 should not be what would make Labour to embark on strike, adding that his government would continue to engage them to ensure that the strike is averted.
He, however, stated that the issue has to pass through all the sections of government as specified by law, stressing that it must go to the National Assembly, because the law must be made.
He further disclosed that the minimum wage does not affect only government employees, “and that is what Nigerians should know.”
His words, “Assuming the Federal Government, States and Local Governments can pay, what of the private people who are employed? You, as journalists, you can do a research work in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries. They do minimum wage to protect low-income earners; every employer of Labour is affected. So, if we just go and impose a minimum wage on all Nigerians without due consultation, do you think small and medium-scale enterprises can all meet up,? he queried.
“ Again, one thing that Labour should understand is that we met at the council of states to discuss the issue of minimum wage, but the provision is that council of states will advice government, then I will now send the minutes to the National Assembly; during that process, we said that we needed to look at it again and also reason with Labour, especially as it affects the private sector and other smaller employees. To show you that government takes Labour matters seriously, we agreed that we would be meeting again in three weeks’ time.
“This is a Council that meets once or, at most, two times a year. They (organised Labour) know that government is passionate about them and I believe they will not over-demonstrate this minor difference, for nobody is saying they will not be paid; but let the consultations be done properly, so that government will not be blamed if there are lapses along the line.
“That is why you need to consult wisely. I believe most of you here do employ some people. So, if the minimum wage is N18, 000, you will be paying whomever you employ N18, 000, be he a gardener or something. The implication is what to consider and not just increase. Presently, our minimum wage is N17000 and no Federal Government staff is even receiving that”, he added.
“I find it very difficult to believe that Federal Government workers are even earning less that N18, 000, because the minimum wage of N18, 000 is level one step one, which is supposed to be for primary six holders”.
The President said the issue of N1000 should not be what would make Labour to embark on strike, adding that his government would continue to engage them to ensure that the strike is averted.
He, however, stated that the issue has to pass through all the sections of government as specified by law, stressing that it must go to the National Assembly, because the law must be made.
He further disclosed that the minimum wage does not affect only government employees, “and that is what Nigerians should know.”
His words, “Assuming the Federal Government, States and Local Governments can pay, what of the private people who are employed? You, as journalists, you can do a research work in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries. They do minimum wage to protect low-income earners; every employer of Labour is affected. So, if we just go and impose a minimum wage on all Nigerians without due consultation, do you think small and medium-scale enterprises can all meet up,? he queried.
“ Again, one thing that Labour should understand is that we met at the council of states to discuss the issue of minimum wage, but the provision is that council of states will advice government, then I will now send the minutes to the National Assembly; during that process, we said that we needed to look at it again and also reason with Labour, especially as it affects the private sector and other smaller employees. To show you that government takes Labour matters seriously, we agreed that we would be meeting again in three weeks’ time.
“This is a Council that meets once or, at most, two times a year. They (organised Labour) know that government is passionate about them and I believe they will not over-demonstrate this minor difference, for nobody is saying they will not be paid; but let the consultations be done properly, so that government will not be blamed if there are lapses along the line.
“That is why you need to consult wisely. I believe most of you here do employ some people. So, if the minimum wage is N18, 000, you will be paying whomever you employ N18, 000, be he a gardener or something. The implication is what to consider and not just increase. Presently, our minimum wage is N17000 and no Federal Government staff is even receiving that”, he added.
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