Analysis I FG's Advisory Committee and Organized Labour

By Fred Nwaozor

Even a dummy in the Nigeria’s polity cannot afford to claim ignorance of the ongoing melodrama being acted by the Federal Government (FG) and the organized labour comprising mainly the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The aforementioned scene, informed by the organized labour’s quest for an upward review of the national minimum wage of the Nigerian workers from the current N18,000 to a more reasonable and tangible figure, has been on the centre stage for several months now.

It would be recalled that the N18,000 currently enjoyed by the workers was effected by the FG in early 2011. The International Labour Organization (ILO) stipulates that the national minimum wage of any nation ought to be upwardly reviewed every five years. This implies that reviewing the country’s minimum wage is long overdue.

Considering how the ongoing melodrama has lingered thus far, a keen onlooker might boldly insinuate that the FG is playing some pranks on the organized labour, though various financial experts comprehend that the apparent inaction displayed by the government is necessitated by fear of the unknown.

As Nigerians perceive that the governments at all levels possess the financial muscle to bear the burden to be occasioned by the proposed N30,000 as new national minimum wage, concerned analysts have feared that even if the FG ends up fulfilling its own part of the bargain, other sectors involved such as the state governments and private investors might still suffer a severe setback. The truth is that the FG is presently uncertain over its capacity to fully implement the said amount as agreed by the tripartite committee, if signed into law.

This could be the reason the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has delayed the transmission of the bill regarding the newly proposed minimum wage to the National Assembly (NASS) for onward constitutional deliberations. This apathy on the part of the FG has been against the wishes of concerned Nigerians who hoped that the bill would be transmitted to the NASS before the end of 2018.

As their hopes were dashed penultimate year, at the wake of the 2019, the NLC led by Comrade Ayuba Waba tendered a strong New Year message, informing the citizenry that there would be a total shutdown across the federation by 8th January 2019 unless their demands were met by the government prior to the stipulated date.

Owing to the above threat, the FG further engaged the organized labour in rigorous meetings with a view to averting the intended strike. The outcome of the harmonized discussions was an ultimatum issued to the government to transmit the money bill to the NASS on or before January 23, 2019. This doesn’t override the fact that the FG is still jittery over the anticipated implementation of the amount in question.

In regard to the anxiety, President Buhari on Wednesday, 9th January 2019 set up a 30-man Technical Advisory Committee to work out modalities on how the proposed N30,000 new minimum wage could be implemented smoothly and successfully. The committee was given thirty days from the inauguration date to submit its report.

Since the 30-man committee is charged with a feasibility study, or the responsibility of aptly advising the government on how best to source the funds for implementation of the proposed figure, a discerning mind would like to advise the members of the committee to tactically stick to the needful as they carry out the consignment.

With all due respect, I want to scold the relevant authorities for coming up with the concept of setting up an advisory committee at the late hour. It’s worthy of note that even if the motive is lofty, the Fire Brigade approach accorded to it has the tendency of negatively affecting the foreseen laudable outcome of the entire idea.

The organized labour has already warned decisively that the deliberations of the constituted committee shouldn’t in any way alter the January-23 ultimatum. This strongly signifies that the ultimatum is sacrosanct, hence must not be seen as a mere threat as it has played out in the past.

Since the labour is hell bent to shut down the country if the government failed to transmit the money bill before the expiration of the given deadline and considering that the general elections are around the corner, the FG is expected not to shun the frantic request of the workers.

Let’s assume the government eventually adhered to the demand of the organized labour and the advisory committee submitted its comprehensive report after 23rd of January, what then becomes the fate of the FG if the committee asserted that the proposed N30,000 isn’t feasible? This mind-boggling question is enough reason the committee is meant to tender its report before the controversial bill is transmitted.

Among all the suggestions cum advices to be given by the committee, it shouldn’t forget to mention the compelling need for the governments to cut down bureaucracies and excesses. All forms of leakages related to taxation must be duly blocked. Also, on no account should borrowing be suggested for recurrent expenditure.

Similarly, an advisory committee ought to be set up for the case of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who embarked on an industrial action since 5th November 2018 and had vowed never to resume until the FG fully implements the agreement reached with the union.

We can’t fold our arms and claim that all is okay while in the real sense, all is actually not well. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor,TheMediaAmbassador, is the
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement