The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR has reiterated his administration’s commitment toward full implementation of the new N30,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

This was contained in his address at the 2019 May Day celebration which held on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at the Eagle Square, Abuja, with the theme: “Another 100 Years of Struggle for Jobs, Dignity and Social Justice in Nigeria”.

Represented by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, Buhari said it is in line with his administration’s resolve to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers at all cost that he signed the new National Minimum Wage into law.

While expressing appreciation to the leadership of the Nigerian workers for the understanding during and after the negotiations for a new Minimum Wage, Buhari maintained that government will continue to provide the enabling environment for higher productivity, industrial peace and harmony, as well as a congenial atmosphere for effective bargaining amongst trade unions and employers.

He maintained that with the mandate given to his administration by Nigerian workers to govern them for the next four years, he will ensure that governance is focused on critical issues that will advance speedily and improve the quality of lives and livelihoods of Nigerians especially in terms of building infrastructure roads and rail, reforming key driving sectors of the national economy in order to put the country on a sustainable path of economic growth and prosperity.

He also called on all actors in the industrial relations system to be more circumspect, patriotic and ethical in the use of industrial actions as tools for resolving work place crisis and addressing grievances, saying industrial peace is central to economic stability. According to him, every industrial disruption costs the national economy very dearly in money and man-hours lost and because of the huge economic and social cost; it should be considered a last and not first option in resolving disputes.

Earlier in a joint address by the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, mni and President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama who commended Nigerian workers for their courage, resilience and patriotism as well as pensioners and their families who have continued to endure the profligacy and profanity of the unrepentant ruling class in Nigeria expressed confidence in the collective commitment of Nigeria workers to the struggle towards achieving social justice.

On the new national minimum wage, the labour leaders said “it is better late than never” as it was the most arduous and long drawn in the history of labour movement in Nigeria. They however attributed the victory to the steadfast commitment and dedication of Nigerian worker to the struggle.

They however called on government to finalize salary adjustments across the payroll of civil and public servants to avoid delay in implementing the new national minimum wage across board.

Caleb Nor

Media Asst.-Ag.ES

NICO HQ

Abuja-FCT