As organized labour unions set to commence nationwide strike on Thursday over the new national minimum wage, Labour Party’s (LP) aspirant for the 2019 gubernatorial election in Kwara state, Comrade Issa Aremu has declared support for a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The organized labour had issued the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum that commenced on Wednesday with clear demand that the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage should conclude its work within the stipulated time frame.
In a statement on Tuesday, Aremu said it was not too late to avert industrial crises if the federal government offers leadership and conclude the year-long negotiation before the expiration of the deadline given to it by the organized labour.
According to the labour leader, economic recovery would elude Nigeria until the country put an end to what he called ‘persistent crisis of compensation of the working class through enhanced purchasing power’ which is only possible through prompt and adequate payment of minimum and living wage for the employed workforce.
He said the key to sustainable development is labour productivity in both public and private sectors which is only possible with motivated paid workers at work and after work through adequate pensions.
“For us in the Labour Party, we remain committed to decent work agenda which include payment of a living wage to all categories of workers in the public and private sectors, as an investment in human capital is an investment in nation building” he said.
