NLC renews call for review of National Minimum Wage
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday in Abuja called on the
Federal Government to urgently review the National Minimum Wage.
Mr Peters Adeyemi, Chairman, Joint May Committee of NLC and the Trade
Union Congress (TUC) made the call at a news conference where he
outlined activities for the commemoration of the 2017 Workers Day.
“The May Day is an auspicious occasion for the working people to
reflect on their struggles and make their demands.
“We shall use this opportunity to renew the call for the review of the
National Minimum Wage that is overdue for review considering the
current economic trends.
“Inflation has increased, the naira has lost its value and the current
minimum wage has been completely eroded.
“Therefore, the need and urgency for the review of the current
National Minimum Wage, ”he said.
Adeyemi also said the celebration was an opportunity to call for the
continuous search and eventual release of the remaining Chibok school
girls abducted over three years ago.
He said that the event would be used to commemorate victims of the
Nyanya bomb blast that occurred on May Day three years ago and other
victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.
Adeyemi, who is also NLC Deputy President, announced that workers
would hold rally at the Eagle Square Abuja and in all the capitals of
the 36 states of the federation.
He disclosed that the theme of the 2017 May Day is `Labour Relations
in Economic Recession: An Appraisal’, with a lecture on the topic to
be delivered by Prof. Toye Olorode.
“The theme suggests that this is a time for us as working class to
look at the present economic situation that has witnessed negative
downturn and the reality of the moment.
We need to critically look at the opportunity afforded to us to work
towards achieving economic revival.
“We also need to chart a way to a national rebirth, economic recovery
and advocate for the engendering of socioeconomic policies that are
pro-poor,” he added.
He said that the May Day was a day to honour the heroes who fought for
justice across the globe.
Adeyemi called on the state councils of the NLC and TUC to mobilise
workers and groups to actively participate in the May Day rally.
