By Jennifer Y Omiloli
Mr Leonard Nkah has commended the national leadership of organised labour over its resilience in the struggle for a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The Ebonyi state Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) chairman, Leonard Nkah, gave this commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abakaliki.
According to him, the successful negotiation of a new wage for Nigerian workers by the leadership of the organised labour is a demonstration of good virtues and strength of character.
He, therefore, called on the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to make sure the new wage is passed into law to enable Nigerian workers enjoy a reasonable living wage.
“The organised labour in Ebonyi just ended its meeting this morning, whereby we extolled the virtues and strength of character exhibited by our national leadership, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC), United Labour Congress (ULC) and NLC.” he said.
“We commended them for holding on tenaciously on the new national minimum wage until government came around to accept what had earlier been agreed upon.” the Ebonyi state chairman said.
“Once the new figure is signed into law, nobody, not even the governors, has the powers to say that they cannot pay.” he added.
“Anybody who refuses to pay will be going against the law and we don’t envisage that any governor will refuse to pay the new wage once it is signed into law.” he said.
The organised labour unions had suspended the nationwide strike initially scheduled for Tuesday, November 6, to press home workers’ demand for a new national minimum wage.
DayBreak earlier reported that the agreed figure for the new national minimum wage would be announced on later today.