Labour plans to engage FG for wage review in 2025

• Vows to protect workers’ rights

From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to engage the federal government for another salary review in 2025.

In its New Year message to workers, the NLC encouraged Nigerians to maintain hope and not let recent survival challenges weigh them down.

The statement, signed by its president, Joe Ajaero, also stressed the need for governments at all levels to adhere to the provisions of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act starting from the beginning of the year.

The Congress further called on governments at all levels to ensure that governance translates into real benefits for the people in the coming year.

Additionally, the NLC asked the federal government to withdraw its present Tax Bill before the National Assembly so that all key national stakeholders will be part of the process.

“The welfare of the citizens remains the primary justification for the existence of any government. Access to food and nutrition, better healthcare, quality housing, education, transportation, and greater security of lives and property, including the right to participate in decisions on how they are ruled, are the key expectations of the people and workers. Policies must therefore reflect transparency, honesty, and inclusivity, devoid of chicanery, nepotism, and strong-arm tactics. To create a thriving, democratic nation, we need a system built on the tenets of social dialogue, allowing critical stakeholders to participate actively in nation-building. Such inclusiveness will foster deeper ownership of government policies, ensuring stability and sustainability.”

“As we embark on a National Dialogue in Ibadan in January 2025, we want to join hands in co-creating a new national tax law that would enjoy wider acceptance and fulfil its purpose of propelling national development, which we believe is the main objective of the government.”

“As we move into 2025, we urge the Federal Government to prioritise industrial peace by taking social dialogue seriously, pursuing pro-human-progress policies, and respecting agreements with trade unions. The increasing use of violence in engagements with workers and unions must cease, as it is a recipe for industrial disharmony. Trade unions, which we are, as a pan-people organisation, remain a committed partner in progress, striving for the development of Nigeria while protecting the rights of workers and citizens at large. We have a very large stake in our nation and are concerned about how our nation is run, compelling us to seek to ensure that government policies give our nation optimal outcomes. While we therefore urge the government to govern well, it must understand that we are responsible to our members and this we cannot shirk.”

“Furthermore, given the economic realities imposed by recent government policies, we shall engage the government for a wage review to safeguard workers’ welfare. Our nation will become more productive when the incomes of workers are able to meet at least their basic needs, thus committing more to their work. In this, we believe, there ought to be unanimity between us and governments at various levels. We look forward to fruitful engagement on this with our social partners as we move into 2025,” the NLC said.