The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that it would embark on a one-day nationwide protest to show its displeasure at the federal government’s delay in enacting and implementing a new national minimum wage of N30,000.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Friday, the NLC said it had directed that the protests should hold in all state capitals and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja on January 8, 2019.
In a swift reaction, the minister of information Lai Mohammed said that he was confident that labour would not embarrass the government.
The NLC also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations of diversion of the bailout fund, Paris Club refund, as well as all budget support releases to the states.
The NEC added that all industrial unions and state councils had been directed to fully mobilise workers and coordinate with other labour unions “for this mother-of-all protests.”
In the communiqué signed by NLC president Ayuba Wabba and General Secretary Peter Ozo-Eson, the NEC condemned alleged violation of the fundamental human rights and freedom of association of workers by the Ogun State government.
It accused Ogun State governor Ibikunle Amosun of illegal proscription of trade union rights in the Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu–Ijebu Ode.
“The NEC reiterates its earlier directives to workers all over the country not only to vote out state governors and other political office holders owing workers but also to mobilise their families and friends to ensure that all elected public office holders who are not worker-friendly are voted out of office in the forthcoming 2019 general elections,” it said.
