The Gombe faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress has warned politicians to desist from politicizing the minimum wage increment battle with the federal government. Haruna Kamara, the faction’s chairman also mentioned that the reason for the clamor is only because of the emancipation of workers in the country.
Hence oppositions should not see it as an opportunity to drag the ruling political party. In a interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Haruna explained,
“People should not join the issue of the struggle for national minimum wage, the welfare of Nigeria workers and pensioners with politics.
“This has been the norm in the past as political stakeholders often accuse labour of supporting the opposition. In 2013/2014 when we had a similar situation, many accused labour of being political with minimum wage.
“ Then the struggle for the welfare of workers was perceived by many as a window to bring in the opposition and today the same thing is being said of labour.
“Those mixing labour struggle with politics are beneficiaries of the present predicament of the Nigerian workers.
“Our struggle for workers is constitutionally time-bound and not a product of the decisions of labour leaders. Our struggle is for the emancipation of workers. Workers are the most effective tool for development and change.”
Haruna equally explained that his faction has already mobilized members, as well as other labour organizations, and are ready for the proposed strike action on January 8. He then urged President Buhari to yield to the demands of workers and pass the 30,000 naira minimum wage bill to the national assembly.
He said, “President Buhari is a man of honor and integrity who had not been adequately briefed by his representatives.
“I am very sure if the resident was duly briefed, we wouldn’t be in the situation we now find ourselves. So it is time for the President to be on the side of the workers.”
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