Politicians are paid for sleeping, workers are not paid for working – this is Nigeria
Dailytab24.
NLC began with a strict message, but like the past leadership, their strike was called off before reaching its aim.
Negotiation for minimum wage shouldn’t take this long, but Nigeria is a country where monkey works and baboon eats.
The Senators, and all political leaders have no problem with getting their unworthy pay. Not even their wardrobe allowance can be withheld past the stipulated date.
There is currently a disagreement between the federal government and state government. Federal government is being blocked from taking decision by state governments.
State governments have threatened that the minimum wage being demanded by NLC is not realistic. They threatened the federal government that it can’t be paid.
Nigerian Labour Congress is directly in negotiation with the federal government, but the governors are determined to take negotiations back to their respective states.
If negotiation is taken to state level, the governors can respectively decide what they want or deem suitable. They would also be able to directly influence negotiation in the state level.
NLC is adamant that negotiation will continue with the federal government. They said the governors cannot be trusted with negotiation.
In state level, NLC can be subdued, and the state government of each union can determine otherwise. While federal government gives NLC the unity needed to prevail.
Since 30 Thousand Naira minimum wage was agreed, NLC said some governors have not agreed to pay.
The governors stood on the previous minimum wage, and if 30 Thousand Naira minimum wage could not be paid, what happens to potential increment?
So, there is a significant delay in reaching an agreement, and one wonders why it takes so long to appreciate workers in the country?
Political leaders in Nigeria have been fantastically corrupted by primitive acquisition. They will borrow millions of Dollars to prepare for their election, and family upkeep, but can’t guarantee a good pay for workers.
It’s a pity that Nigerian Labour Congress cannot even embark on a successful strike. The Congress has been battered to the point its leaders are under the whims and caprices of political leaders.
The leaders of the Congress have been accused of secretly reaching selfish compromise with the federal government, and only come out to demand negotiation they approach lightly.
If the federal government is not listening, why not embark on significant strike, shut down the government to enforcing agreement.
Workers will continue to be played with, while politicians continue to go home with millions they didn’t work for if they continue on this path.
Working parents back home cannot afford three square meal due to inflation. 30 Thousand Naira minimum wage is no longer worth a put of soup, why is the government so insensitive to the plight of Nigerian workers?
When it’s about paying workers, there is no money. But when it’s about funding campaign, or paying legislatures and executives, there is money.
The situation of Nigerian workers cannot change unless they embrace the fight, and stop the trend.
It’s unfortunate we talk about paying real workers in a country where those that sleep in the comfort of their homes are paid duly and timely.
