NEWS
Minimum Wage: Labour Decries FEC’s Delay Tactics, Urges Consultation
The Organised Labour has decried the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) delay tactics on the memorandum on the report of the Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage.
It was gathered the FEC had on Tuesday stepped-down action on the memo.
In a swift reaction, the Head, Public Relations at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Benson Upah, raised a strong voice against the failure of FEC to consider the memo at Tuesday’s meeting.
Upah insisted that the stepping down the tripartite committee report “creates room for injurious speculations.”
On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told media men after the FEC meeting that they stepped down the memorandum on the new minimum wage to allow for more consultations between President Bola Tinubu, state governors, local government authorities and the private sector.
According to Idris, the FEC deferred acting on the memo on the ground that the Federal Government is not the sole stakeholder on the national minimum wage issue.
Recall that the Federal Government, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and Organised Labour had held several meetings on the new minimum wage with the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) leaders insisting on N250,000.
The Federal Government, states and the OPS, had, however, made a counter-offer of N62,000.
The interesting twist in the matter appears to be the state governors, under the banner of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) having declared that any minimum wage higher than N60,000 was not sustainable.
While that was going on, some voices of reason including reputable economists threw a figure of N100,000 into the conversation.
However, the Assistant General Secretary of the NLC, Chris Onyeka, had made it clear that Labour would accept neither the Federal Government’s offer of N62,000 nor the N100,000 thrown up by independent voices.
Labour’s position was reinforced by the words of its President, Joe Ajaero, that the unionists were waiting on the President to consider Labour’s proposal.
It does appear that the Federal Government was aiming to politicize the issue of minimum wage by taking the campaign to even religious bodies.
The Minister for Information, had told the 2024 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Abuja, that the government was focused on a realistic wage system with a view to safeguarding employment and guarding against mass retrenchment.
According to Idris, the N250,000 minimum wage proposal could undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardise the welfare of Nigerians.
The concerns in certain quarters note that in his Democracy Day broadcast, President Tinubu assured that he would forward a bill on the new minimum wage to the National Assembly soon.
He told governors and members of the National Assembly on the occasion of the nation’s 25th Democracy Day anniversary at the State House that his administration would pay whatever it could afford as the new minimum wage.
President Tinubu’s stand had drawn the ire of Labour, which insisted that the political office-holders should also be paid the minimum wage.
The Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, said, “The President will likely send the minimum wage bill after the Sallah break.”
Recall that the Senate had adjourned plenary for the Sallah break and is due to resume on July 2.
But the then acting President of the NLC, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, said Labour would not accept the N62,000 proposed by the government and OPS, advising the President to pay workers a living wage and ignore those he described as sycophants.
He also refuted insinuations that a consensus had been reached between the Federal Government and Labour on the new wage.
On Monday, the NLC President, Ajaero, mentioned that Organised Labour expected Tinubu to reach out to the members of the tripartite committee to harmonise the figure, given the stalemate at the end of the committee meeting.
Addressing State House correspondents after Tuesday’s FEC meeting, the information minister, Idris, explained that the President needed to interact with other wage-paying entities to factor their contributions and circumstances into the executive bill on minimum wage that would be passed on to the National Assembly for passage into law.
He stated, “I want to inform Nigerians here that the Federal Executive Council deliberated on that (minimum wage) and the decision is that because the new national minimum wage is not just that of the Federal Government, it is an issue that involves the Federal Government, the state governments, local governments, and the organised private sector and of course, including the organised labour.
“That memo was stepped down to enable Mr President to consult further, especially with the state governors and the organised private sector, before he makes a presentation to the National Assembly before an executive bill is presented to the National Assembly.
“So I want to state that on the new national minimum wage, Mr President is going to consult further so that he can have an informed position because the new national minimum wage, as I said, is not just an issue of the Federal Government.”
He said the President studied the report and will “consult wider before a final submission is made to the National Assembly.”
Reacting to the FEC’s decision, the NLC spokesman, Upah, declared that stepping down the minimum wage memo did not bode well for workers.
When asked if the decision to postpone the consideration of the minimum wage memo was a waste of time, he responded, “Definitely, stepping down the minimum wage memo does not bode well with or for us. It creates room for injurious speculations.”
The Deputy National President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, said he expected the President to address the ‘grey areas’ ahead of the transmission of the executive bill on the new minimum wage to the National Assembly.
“I want to believe that the government is very conscious of the grey areas which organised labour has pointed at, especially the amount to be accepted by every party involved, the frequency of review and criteria for the review and application.
“These, amongst others, are the burning issues which to the best of my knowledge need to be addressed before its consideration by FEC to the National Assembly,’’ he noted.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has opened up on the plans of his administration for the agricultural sector, assuring stakeholders that farm inputs, including tractorization and food security are being addressed by his government.
He made the assertion on Friday evening after a meeting with a Nordic, a firm interested in setting up a tractor assembly plant in Osun State.
Gov Adeleke maintained that his plans for the agricultural sector remained robust and all inclusive.
In his words, “the state is now set for implementation of various programmes in the sector.
“We take Agriculture very seriously. Our government decided to first focus on bridging the infra deficit to strengthen connectivity between rural and urban areas. We first focused on building the roads and bridges as a condition to empower the agricultural sector in the area of transportation and market linkages.
“Now that we have made enormous progress in the infra sector, we are now set to roll out specific programmes for the agricultural sector. I have set up an implementation committee on the recommendations of our food security committee.
“The Committee which is to be chaired by my Special Adviser on Agriculture, Hon Olaniran Akanfe has the mandate to put into effect the suggestions and proposals in the food committee report. Other members of the committee include Olusola Omole, Dr Alaba Towoju, Dr Olu Olajide, Hon Moshood Yakub, Hon Alexander Kehinde Oloke, Adelowo Adekunle Saburi, Kolade Tunde (TISKO) and Engr Badmus Bukola Mikail. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture is to serve as the Secretary of the Committee while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Tola Faseru serves as overall Coordinator.
“As we kick-start the implementation of the food security committee, our government is to launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme which is to target thousands of young farmers and agropreneurs across the agricultural value chain.
“The programme will include at least 1000 hectares of land per local government; provision of land clearing and tractorization; availability of inputs; guaranteed off-taking; all season irrigation farming; integration of hydroponic farming; integration of precision farming and emphasis on gender balancing and inclusivity.
“My Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Faseru is to chair the action committee which will have representatives from ALGON, traditional institutions among others. Other members of the action committee will include Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Land; Surveyor General of the state; Director Agriculture services at the Ministry of Agriculture; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth; President, Osun Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr Adegoke Taiwo Kamal; a representative of farm equipment leasers and Hon Hezekiah Olabamiji Oladele (HOB).
“I have also directed the Commissioner to host a meeting with real farmers on our various farmlands in the state. The Commissioner is to meet genuine farmers to strengthen our partnership as we launch various programmes within the sector.
“I am happy to announce that the federal-state partnership on Fertilizers has yielded positive results. We will as quickly as possible commence the distribution of Fertilizers to our farmers.
“On tractorization, this is another piece of good news. The state has acquired some tractors while the Commissioner has been directed to negotiate a leasing deal with the tractor hiring association. We are also repairing existing tractors.
“Our government is therefore elated to recieve your company with such interest as setting up a tractor assembly plant. We warmly welcome your initiative. The Commissioner for Agriculture is to meet and discuss further with your representative.
“For those into plantation farming, we are raising seedlings across the crop sectors. We are starting with cashew and cocoa.
“More importantly, our government is working on reviving the cocoa industry as well as supporting agro processing through public private partnership. We welcome investors and partners in this critical sector.”
President Joe Biden emphasized his capacity to deliver results while acknowledging challenges with his mobility and speech during a campaign rally in North Carolina.
His remarks followed a heated debate against former President Donald Trump in Georgia, marking a significant moment in the 2024 election cycle.
At the campaign rally in North Carolina on Friday, President Biden addressed supporters stating “Folks, I don’t walk as easy as I used to, I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth, I know right from wrong.”
To downplay suggestions of being replaced in the presidential race, Democrat Joe Biden emphasized resilience, stating, “I know, as millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down you get back up.”
He also asserted his commitment to safeguarding democracy, declaring, “I won’t allow Trump to attack our democracy again, I don’t think so folks.”
Reflecting on progress made since his predecessor’s tenure, Biden remarked, “The US has come a long way from the mess that Donald Trump left,” highlighting the past “constitutional crisis and international embarrassment” caused by the former president.
Biden reaffirmed his belief that America embodies “honesty and decency” and serves as a “beacon of the world,” contrasting this with Donald Trump’s motives of “revenge and retribution,” which he criticized as never having “built a damn thing.”
Reflecting on the recent debate, President Biden remarked, “I don’t know what you did last night, but I spent 90 minutes on a stage debating with a guy who has the morals of an alley cat.”
He also commented on Trump’s performance, alleging, “Did you see Trump last night? My guess is he set, and I mean this sincerely, a new record for the most lies told in a single debate.”
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of eight new Federal Permanent Secretaries to fill current and upcoming vacancies in various states and geo-political zones within the top administrative cadre of the Civil Service of the Federation.
In a statement released by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale on Friday, it was announced that the appointments were made following a rigorous selection process conducted by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The newly appointed Federal Permanent Secretaries are: Dr. Emanso Umobong Okop from Akwa-Ibom; Obi Emeka Vitalis from Anambra; Mahmood Fatima Sugra Tabi’a from Bauchi; Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi from Jigawa; Olusanya Olubunmi from Ondo; Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila from Zamfara; Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma representing the South-East region; and Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen representing the South-South region.
The President expressed confidence that the new Federal Permanent Secretaries will demonstrate unwavering dedication, diligence, and loyalty to the nation in the execution of their duties, ensuring optimal service delivery to the Nigerian people.
Court Of Appeal Upholds Baba Ijesha’s 5-Year Conviction
Police Confirm 8 Dead, 15 Injured In Borno Suicide Attack
Euro 2024: Severe Storm Halts Germany vs. Denmark Match
BREAKING: Suicide Bomber Posing As Wedding Guest Kills Many
I’ve Been Dating Ice Prince For 12 Years – Actress Moet Abebe
I Am Ready For Marriage – Ruger Declares
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
