The N56,000 A Joke Or What?
As workers in Nigeria suffer one of the most bleak May Days in recent times, one is left wondering why Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has chosen such a time of sober reflections to crack an unwholesome joke by presenting a new proposal for a N56,000 minimum wage? I strongly believe that NLC just want to have their own share of national cake using this unrealistic proposal so that they will deftly and smoothly went into negotiation with the Federal Government.
Indeed some screws must have sprung loose in the heads of the NLC leaders lest how does one contemplate a new minimum wage when the old one of N18,000 has failed to obtain widespread coverage. With 26 states owing three or more months salaries, agitating for a new minimum wage amidst a neck breaking financial crisis is disingenuously and foolhardy.
NLC has enough reasons to shut down the nation amidst a crippling fuel crisis and the failure to pay thousands of workers their emoluments, however the NLC leadership prefers to chase after a red herring whose feasibility is as achievable as landing a man on Mars in one day. The Nigerian worker has become an endangered species as State Governors prefer to divert funds supposed to pay workers towards more laudable projects like mansions and palatial Government Houses.
Why NLC is shy to bare its fangs at these corrupt persons is a wonder. Instead they say Legislators are living large on a prodigal salary hence they deserve their own bumper package. As noble as their argument sounds, one wonders if market women will keep their prices fixed once they hear civil servants have been granted the new minimum wage.
Inflation will only catch up and overtake the earnings of these workers who will only earn this amount on paper but will never see the fruits of their labour which will be siphoned off to fund the extravagant lifestyle of the ruling elite.
If NLC is envious of the lifestyle of politicians then its their socialist responsibilities to picket these bastions of corruption and negotiate a return to a more frugal state. Hence for labour to covert the capitalist tendencies of these ignoble legislators and their partners in the executive is the end of a union which was founded on social justice and equity.
NLC needs to regain relevance in Nigeria by abandoning this their foul joke of a new minimum wage and press on for things that will uplift the well being of all workers. Universal access to NHIS for all workers. Prompt release of Housing loans to all civil servants. Prompt payment of relocation allowances and promotion arrears.
An end to the fuel crisis and power for all to reduce house hold energy costs. Mass transport for workers. An end to the lopsided award of car loans and other benefits. Nurturing an enabling environment for private enterprise to ensure job creation and curb inflation.
The NLC should consider introspection and end this talk of things that are not feasible. N56,000 minimum wage? A joke that only a jokers can dream of.
Usman Mohammed.
Department of Mass Communication.
IBB University, Lapai-Niger State.
07060815443.