How Tinubu ‘disarmed’ labour leaders during meeting over minimum wage

President Bola Tinubu Thursday literally disarmed Labour leaders (Joe jaero of NLC and Festus Osifo, TUC among others) while welcoming them to a

By Danlami Nmodu

President Bola Tinubu Thursday literally disarmed Labour leaders (Joe jaero of NLC and Festus Osifo, TUC among others) while welcoming them to a meeting with him at Presidential Villa.

In a deft statement aimed at “unsettling” the Labour leaders, Tinubu said in part: “I pay attention to everything around me”.

On the one hand , that was obviously meant to get the labour delegation to reset their minds prior to the discussion with him on the lingering minimum wage saga. On the other hand Tinubu might, be using that assertion to ‘calm down’ those who claim he is not in touch with the pain, hunger and agony in the land.

Meanwhile, a statement signed by Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, noted that President Bola Tinubu in his opening remarks said Nigerian workers deserve improved welfare, better wages, as well as safe and enhanced working conditions as the driving force of the nation.

Speaking with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and that of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) led by Comrade Festus Osifo, on Thursday in Abuja, President Tinubu said he is concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers and that his administration is prioritizing their concerns.  

“I pay attention to everything around me. A happy worker is a productive worker. And society depends on the productivity of the happy worker,” the President said.

However, the President called for realistic expectations as regards the minimum wage question, stating: “You have to cut your coat according to available cloth. Before we can finalize on the minimum wage process, we have to look at the structure.”

“Why must we adjust wages every five years? Why not two? Why not three years? What is a problem today, can be eased up tomorrow. There is much dynamism to this process if we are not myopic in our approaches. We can take a surgical approach that is based on pragmatism and a deep understanding of all factors.”

In his remarks, the NLC President, Comrade Ajaero, emphasized the need for an upward adjustment to the minimum wage, noting: “Between living wage and minimum wage, we need to find a balance. Things are difficult for the Nigerian worker.”

He congratulated the President on the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the constitutional rights of local governments as regards financial autonomy and other salient principles.

“I have to congratulate you on the issue of local government autonomy. We have been in the streets protesting for local government autonomy. Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel, it will amount to ungratefulness if we fail to commend you,” the NLC President said.

The TUC President, Comrade Osifo, said inflation has adversely affected the value of the naira and that the measures initiated by the government to address the rising cost of food and transportation need to kick in to give citizens relief.

He said the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses will help in checking the high cost of transportation, while the recent directive on the suspension of duty on certain food imports will bring down the prices of food items, if properly implemented.

“We commend you on the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court. History will not forget what has happened today. With this judgement, we believe Nigeria will make progress,” the TUC President also said.

Further talks were adjourned until next week to allow for wider consultation with all stakeholders.