The Nigerian Labour
Congress (NLC) has urged the federal government to implement the N52,000 new minimum wage
and tackle unemployment affecting young Nigerians in 2017.
The congress in a new year message by its president, Ayuba Wabba also charged President Muhammadu Buhari to deal with the challenge of the power sector through “either reversal of the privatization of the sector or ensuring that those who run the sector provide electricity on regular basis and at rates consumer can afford”.
The NLC leader said with
states earning more revenue from sales of crude oil, and more money as a result
of the massive devaluation of the naira, labour will continue its campaign to
ensure that the incidence of non-payment of salaries as at when due, is no
longer a feature of our national life.
Despite the payment of
monthly stipends to selected beneficiaries, Wabba lamented that Nigerians were
yet to see the massive job creation promised by the APC led government.
How many jobs has the
federal government and the 23 states controlled by the ruling party created in
the course of the last 20 or so months, in furtherance of its pledge to
Nigerians during the electioneering campaign?” he queried.
He recalled that NLC had
during the past May Day and new year messages, as well as other policy pronouncements,
made it known that it had some ideas on how, Nigeria can create new and
sustainable jobs.
He said, “Unfortunately,
no one in government has thought it necessary to give us a hearing on what
these ideas are, and what they entail. Presently, we are not even sure which
ministry or agency of the government is the focal point on job creation.”
Wabba concluded that the
NLC will in the new year redouble its efforts, using all available means at
their disposal to get the federal government to constitute the tripartite panel
to renegotiate a new minimum wage, which must be a living wage.
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