For more than 4 months now the Nigerian Labour congress, a union that protects the interest of workers and vast majority of people in Nigeria has been in negotiations with the Federal government of Nigeria over the new minimum wage that is yet to be agreed on.
Series of negotiations has been going on over this period with all of them ending in deadlock because both parties are yet to agree upon the new proposed N30.000 over the current N18.000 which has been there for over the years now.
High prices of commodities, economic melt down, raise and increase in the cost of living are the major reason the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) wants the minimum wage in Nigeria to be increased. The current N18.000 can no longer cater for the average Nigerians who only depend on the salary at the end of every month, over the years price of petrol, kerosene, foods, good and services has been on the increase but yet the minimum wage continued to remain the same. In the light of fairness, justice and making sure everything and everyone is seen as equals the Nigerian Labour Congress have pushed to make sure it is at N30.000 .
Although the Federal government on the other side have also propose N24.500 as what they will pay if implemented. That the economy of Nigerian which is still struggling to survive will not allow them pay that amount of money. The federal government while saying this also forgot that their salaries and that of thier aides exceeds N150.000 - N200.000 as the case or position maybe. To this end one could say its a conspiracy by the Government of Nigeria to continue to make its citizens very poor. Eve though they have denied this assertion, it look visible as to what thier plans are.
N18.000 the current minimum wage or N24.500 the current proposed amount if implemented cannot solve the problems of the poor citizens as both amount are looking the same. You will have to agree with me that a family of 4 father and mother inclusive cannot feed and take care of themselves comfortably with that amount, needs such as
• Food
• Shelter
• Education
• Health care
• Clothings
and other important things that havent been mentioned here cannot be cover by that amount. That proposed amount by the federal government alone can be spent on either food, shelter, education respectively without having any thing remaining.
The worrisome scenario is that some states have been unable to pay the little 18.000 to its workers, some states are owing up to 3 to 5 months salaries. It is disheartening to hear that workers are being owed after diligently discharged their duties. Forgetting that these workers have children, family and needs to take care of, some lose their lives in the process too.
The Nigerian Labour Congress as part of it's fundamental rights as recognised by the constitution and know world wide then decided to go for national industrial strike action peacefully in solidarity with the vast majority of Nigerian citizens.
But in the other hand its unfortunate that the federal government as i have earlier perceived are playing mind games as well as politics with this policy, reasons are because they went to court to get a court order restraining the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) from embarking on the nation wide strike.
The federal government who is supposed to be the helper of the poor masses are looking like enemies from within that we don't know.
So i ask, as the national industrial court has put a stop to this strike that would have giving victory to the poor masses what way next, what is our fate.?
These questions are begging answers as it appears we are being cheated of our rights to freedom of speech and association.
"one thing i know for sure is that justice and the wish of the people can be delayed but can never be denied"
As responsible citizen that i am, i will continue to speak of the ills done by the federal government against its people it swore to protect, rather than protect us they are exposing us to more than danger.
Long Live steemit.
Long Live The Federal republic of Nigeria.