Minimum wage: NLC faults Ondo N14,000 agreement

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday condemned Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State and “a handful of labour leaders” who “purportedly” signed an agreement for the state to pay N14, 000 as new minimum wage pending an upward review of allocation formula.

The state government and a joint negotiating council signed the agreement on Sunday.

 Acting General Secretary of the NLC Comrade Owei Lakemfa, while reacting to the agreement which led to the suspension on the N18.000 minimum wage in the state,  said “the purported agreement between the Ondo State Government and a handful of labour leaders is without the support or authority of NLC.

To enter into an agreement that seeks to subvert the law of the country is a criminal conspiracy and these handful of labour leaders do not in any sense represent workers.

They actually are subversive of workers’ interest and it is a betrayal of trust. NLC is particularly disappointed that a state government which rode into power on the back of labour will seek to subvert workers’ interests.”

The Acting General Secretary of NLC “advised” state governors that seek to compromise labour leaders in their states to circumvent minimum wage in their state to stop wasting taxpayers’ money on such frivolities, saying “As for the handful of labour leaders who signed that agreement, NLC will ensure they are called to order.”