….Names Zamfara, Taraba, C’River as states yet to implement minimum wage
Priscilla Ahemen Maakuna
A communique issued at the end of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Abuja, says that, plans are underway by the union to stage a three-day national protest if varsity strike continues.
It says, the protest could, however, magnify into a nationwide down tool, if government’s inaction continues.
The congress however did not specify when exactly the protest would commence.
The communique was signed by NLC President Ayuba Wabba and General Secretary Emma Ugboajah.
NLC communique reads, “Within the span of the subsisting 21-day ultimatum given by Congress, NLC will hold national protests against the current strike action affecting students of Nigeria’s public universities, and occasioned by government’s failure to honour agreement reached with trade unions in our universities.
“The protest is to draw the attention of government to the inherent catastrophe in the emerging culture of social apartheid in our society, especially as marked by prolonged lockout of students from working class and poor homes, while children of the rich continue their academic pursuits uninterrupted.”
Congress stated that: “If at the end of the national protest and the 21-day ultimatum, the Federal Government still fails to resolve the industrial crises in Nigeria’s universities, the Congress would be left with no other option but to embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike action, in solidarity with our affiliates in the universities and with Nigerian students whose future and wellbeing are being robbed.”
The meeting called on Taraba, Cross River and Zamfara States government to begin payment of the arrears of national minimum wage owed its workers.
It also called on the Abia State government to promptly clear the backlog of pension arrears owed its retirees.