Workers in Kaduna State Tuesday held parallel workers day celebration in the State under the umbrella bodies of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC).
While the NLC held theirs under the chairmanship of Comrade Ango Adamu at its secretariate along the independent way, the ULC commenced theirs with a walk from the Lagos street roundabout which terminated at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium under the chairmanship of Comrade Ephraim James.
One thing common with the NLC, ULC celebration is the unanimous call for an improved workers welfare package and minimum wage.
However, while the NLC is demanding a minimum wage of N66,500 the ULC is demanding a minimum wage of N96,000.
Meanwhile, the NLC has called on the state governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai to obey the court order over the sacked teachers and or pay them their entitlements accordingly.
The ULC on their part decried the onslaught against Nigerian workers which they described as reaching an alarming proportion, stressing that workers are being exploited and maimed.
According to the ULC chairman in Kaduna state said “the government can pay the N96,000 being demanded by organised labour as minimum wage, Nigerian workers can no longer allow themselves to be treated as slaves.
” The choice of N96,000 as a minimum wage was arrived at after all key “factors and indicators” were taken into consideration.
“We are concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers. That is why we proposed a minimum wage of N96,000 after looking at all key indices and factors. We know that government can pay the money if it is serious. But beyond that, we are even ready for negotiation” he said.
Both congresses had their members trooped out in colourful and branded uniforms with match past by the ULC members while the NLC engaged in serious prayers against those at the position of leadership whom the referred to as the enemies of their progress.
ENDS
