The former governor of Edo state and current National Chairman of The All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshimole has made it known to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as well as other labour Unions across the country that that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the implementation of an improved National Minimum Wage for Nigerian workers.
He made this known on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) led by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, alongside the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba on a solidarity visit to the APC National Chairman at the Party’s National Secretariat.
The APC Chieftain said “The trade union movement and the working class represent part of the constituency that President Buhari believes in. That is why on occasions like this, I can safely assure the TUC and NLC that if you hear any voice within the APC family talking in a way as to suggest that President Buhari’s government will superintend over abolition of the National Minimum Wage, that will be the individual’s wishful thinking. President Muhammadu Buhari will not dismantle any of the gains that the working class has achieved over the years.
He continued further…
“One of which is the idea of a National Minimum Wage to provide a social club below which no Nigerian workers should be engaged. I think there is no better evidence of this than the fact that even at a time many people were calling for the abolition of the National Minimum Wage, President Buhari decided to set up a panel to review upward the existing National Minimum Wage. As they say, action speaks louder than words.”
Comrade Oshiomole further expressed his resolve to use his position to influence government policies in order to benefit the ordinary Nigerian worker. He said President Buhari remained committed to worker’s welfare, the fight against corruption and the unity of the country, despite resistance from a section of the political elite.
“My understanding of the Nigerian condition is deepened by the fact that I had the opportunity as a factory worker and an industrial union leader and later as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). I am very proud when people acknowledge that what qualifies me for the present position is the rich trade union background where I was able to manage a pan-Nigeria institution and mobilise the people for a good course without recourse to ethnic, religious and primordial sentiments. That is the challenge of the political class today because many are still afflicted by these primordial sentiments. I am very proud of those values that I had to imbibe as a union leader. I know the struggles that we waged together” He said.
The TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama responded by assuring the APC National Chairman of TUC’s support and cooperation, he described the APC chairman as a bridge-builder.
“We are from your primary constituency and as a movement when one of us is opportune to be elevated to a position of what we call national service, we need to really congratulate you, identify with you, solidarise with you and to show you that the Labour movement is one, indivisible. The movement is solidly behind you. We do know that you have been elected to your current position based on the fact that you have an organisational background and that organisational background is the trade union background where we organise and mobilise for the betterment of the nation. He said
There have been calls on the federal government to review the minimum wage from 18,000 Naira to 53,000 Naira in accordance with the present economic realities.