All is now set for a mass protest across the country organized by a coalition of Labour unions. The three Labour groups, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; Trade Union Congress, TUC; and the United Labour Congress, ULC have begun a massive mobilization of their members nationwide and their civil society allies, ahead of the protest, which will commence on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. The protest is coming ahead of a nationwide strike which Labour has planned to commence on the 6th of November to compel government to peg new minimum wage at N30,000.
A circular issued by Chris Oyeka, Deputy General Secretary of the ULC stated: “This is to inform you that sequel to the several consultations among the leadership of organized labour in Nigeria over the apparent decision of the Federal Government to sabotage the National Minimum Wage Negotiation; the following decisions were taken that there shall be a national day of outrage and mourning by Nigerian workers all over the nation. Tuesday, October 30, 2018, has been chosen for that action.”
Oyeka urged all the state councils to collaborate with other two labour centers (NLC and TLC) in their respective states to make it a success. “It is a day set aside to show our indignation and anger over the way workers have been treated in Nigeria and to mourn the death of truth, transparency and good governance in Nigeria. We shall also sensitize Nigerians on our plight as workers and citizens and the need for national resistance.” Continuing he said the councils have not arrived at a final decision concerning the nationwide strike. “Do also be informed as you mobilize for the planned nationwide strike on Tuesday, that on the 6th of November, 2018, UMI’s CWC will meet to take further decisions which will culminate into the joint CWC meeting of the three Labour Centers (ULC, NLC and TUC) where final decisions will be taken on the strategies for the nationwide strike. You will be informed if there is any further decision that may arise from these CWC meetings,” he noted.
On the 23 of October 2018, President of NLC and the General Secretary, Ayuba Wabba, and Dr. Peter Ozo Eson, issued a statement after a NEC meeting, urging members nationwide to fully mobilize and comply with resolutions of National Executive Council. “The NEC resolved to organise a national day of mobilization and sensitization rallies for all workers to show their outrage and mourning in the 36 states of the federation and FCT on Tuesday, 30th October 2018. The day will also be used to educate and sensitize Nigerians on the horrendous plight of workers and pensioners, the insensitivity and duplicity of Government on Labour issues, and to protest the proposed obnoxious policies of government against organised Labour.”
The NLC has set a meeting on November 2, 2018 for final preparations for a full engagement with government on the national minimum wage, urging workers to refuse government proposal of no work no pay.
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